by Mike Anderson
We are entering the home stretch here in the college season. While none of the Division-III schools took the field, all five Division-I schools played, while two Division-II schools played each other. Let’s take a deeper look into how these games went.
Division I:
Hofstra blew out William & Mary 18-7 to improve to 20-18 on the year. The lineup carried the team from start to finish, en route to capturing the series-opener.
Ace pitcher Mark Faello picked a good day to struggle, as he allowed six earned runs in five innings but still got the win. Hofstra’s sticks provided 18 runs on 15 hits, finishing with a seven-run seventh to put the game out of reach. The game was close at one point, as it was just 6-4 Hofstra through the first four innings. However, an offensive barrage allowed Hofstra to run away with it.
The Pride slugged three home runs, headlined by right fielder Brian Morell’s two-homer game. Morrell led the way with four hits and four RBIs. Other big contributors were first baseman Zack Baily (4-for-5, 3 RBIs) and catcher Kevin Bruggemann (3-for-6, 2B, HR, 4 RBIs).
The two will meet again down in Williamsburg, VA. at 2:00 p.m. Saturday.
St. Joseph’s beat Fordham handily, 16-9. St. Joseph’s never gave Fordham a chance, as they hung a baker’s dozen on them within the first two innings. The St. Joseph’s lineup racked up 13 hits and 12 walks against Fordham’s pitching, providing ample support for their starter Ian McCole.
McCole allowed three runs in the first inning but settled down nicely, as he wound up going six innings for St. Joseph’s. He earned his second win of the year, as his team now sits at 23-16 overall.
One notable performer from the losing side was first baseman Will Findlay, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles and four RBIs. He also pitched a scoreless eighth inning for Fordham.
The two will meet again for game two of the series on Saturday, and the first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m..
Villanova beat St. John’s 5-1 behind a great performance from their pitching staff. Starting pitcher Cole Patten was handed the lead in the third inning and never looked back. Patten allowed one run on three hits over six innings, while striking out five and walking three.
Those three hits were all that Villanova would allow, as reliever Danny Wilkinson came out and finished the game for them. He pitched three hitless innings and slammed the door on the Johnnies, earning his third save of the year.
Third baseman Joey Castellanos had the biggest game, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
The two will meet again in Pennsylvania at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday for game two of the series.
Sacred Heart upset yet another Long Island team, as they blew out LIU 12-3. They were able to take advantage of mistakes from Josh Loeschorn; a pitcher who has not made a whole lot of mistakes this year.
Sacred Heart’s pitching struggled with their control, as they walked eight batters in the LIU lineup. However, they were able to strand 12 runners on base to keep them in it. As for the offense, they cashed in at every opportunity, collecting 12 runs on 13 hits while only leaving four men on.
The final score does the game no justice, as it was very competitive before the wheels fell off. LIU led 2-1 after scoring a pair in the top of the sixth. However, Sacred Heart’s offense would explode for 11 runs over the next two innings, including seven off of lefty Chris Buehler.
Sacred Heart’s win was just their sixth of the year, as they currently boast a .150 winning percentage (6-34). The two will meet again on Saturday in Fairfield, CT., with the first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m..
NJIT beat down on Stony Brook 10-2 to kick off their three-game series. The Highlanders scored early and often, hanging a four-spot in the first inning on Stony Brook. By the bottom of the fourth inning, NJIT was up 7-0 and the writing was on the wall.
While the offense was slapping the ball all over the yard, Ryan Fischer dealt a great ball game for NJIT. He pitched a complete game, allowing only two earned runs on six hits while striking out 14 and walking none. NJIT is now 11-8 in the America East, and just one game back of Stony Brook for second place.
Game two between these two teams will be Saturday at 2:00 p.m. down in Newark, NJ..
Division II:
Molloy defeated Queens by a score of 8-5 behind a good outing from ace pitcher Charlie Cucchiara and a big day at the plate from designated hitter Peter Theodorellis.
Theodorellis started the scoring with an RBI single in the top of the third, but Queens responded with an RBI single from right fielder Justin Ventura. Shortstop Juan De La Rosa then launched a solo homer in the fifth to give Queens the lead. Second baseman Marc Cisco extended their lead with an RBI double soon after.
Trailing 3-1, Theodorellis helped lead a Molloy comeback. He tied the game with a two-run single in the sixth, and then Molloy’s offense finally returned to form. They scored another two in the seventh to take the lead, and then tacked on insurance runs in the eighth and ninth innings to go up 8-3. Queens fought until the end, as they scored two more in the bottom of the ninth. However, Brian Morrisey shut the door and recorded his third save of the year.
Adelphi did not play on Friday. They will host Le Moyne College for a doubleheader on Saturday, with game one starting at noon.
Division III:
No Division-III schools played on Friday. St. Joe’s LI will host a doubleheader on Saturday against Purchase, with game one starting at 11:00 a.m.. Farmingdale will host USMMA for a doubleheader on Saturday, with game one starting at noon. Maritime will take on Mount St. Mary for a doubleheader on the road, with the first game scheduled for noon. Old Westbury will not be in action on Saturday, either, but will play at Farmingdale for a doubleheader on Sunday to finish their season.
