by Andy Smith
There was plenty of action around the diamond on Saturday as most of the local programs were in action ! Here’s how it went down….
Division-I:
Stony Brook 5, University of North Carolina 7
Series = won ✅
Back for the sweep tomorrow at 1 pm! pic.twitter.com/uc5Pkp5TX1
— Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) March 4, 2023
The Tar Heels came out hot and jumped on Stony Brook pitches early. Third baseman Mac Horvath has been crushing the ball this season, and launched a solo blast in the first inning. UNC added to their lead in the third inning off an RBI single by designated hitter Alberto Osuna, doubling their lead. The Seawolves got on the board in the fourth inning via a sacrifice fly by second baseman Johnny Pilla. The Tar Heels responded right back by launching two two-run home runs, one in the fourth inning and one in the fifth by LF Patrick Alvarez and 1B Hunter Stokely, respectively, which increased their lead to six runs. Stony Brook continued to fight back but could not overcome the deficit. A two-run home run by third baseman Evan Giordano in the seventh inning cut the Tar Heels lead to four. In the ninth inning an RBI single by designated hitter Shane Paradine, followed by an RBI groundout from first baseman Brett Paulsen made it a two run game. The final game of this three game set takes place Sunday at 1:00PM EST.
St. John’s 8, Marshall 4
The Red Storm opened up their 3-game set with a victory on Saturday. Sonny Fauci struggled through 2.2 innings before being lifted in favor of Nick Cirelli. He went 5.1 strong innings of relief, allowing just 1 ER with 6 strikeouts and no walks. The offense was led by Marty Higgins who had two hits, including the go-ahead solo shot in the sixth. drove in a pair and scored a run. The Johnnies hit 3 home runs in the game, Paul Orbon also homered in the sixth and Tate Ballestero in the eighth. Chuck Sanzio worked around a pair of walks in the ninth to close the door. St. John’s improves to 5-3 on the season and will face Marshall in a double header today before heading back to Queens to host Hofstra on Wednesday.
Long Island University 5, The Citadel 12
B7 | CIT 12 LIU 5
Luke Montenery doubles down the left-field line to score Lott and Rollauer!#BelieveInUs pic.twitter.com/z60AKa67zd
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) March 4, 2023
The Citadel had control of this game early on. Citadel jumped out to a six run lead just four innings through. An RBI double by shortstop Sawyer Reeves got the bats going in the first inning, and RBI singles by third baseman Thomas Rollauer and designated hitter Crosby Jones added to the tally. The Sharks started a rally in the fifth inning following a Carlton Harper RBI single. LIU continued to fight back by scoring four runs in the sixth inning. Right fielder Jake Mastillo launched a two-run blast after an RBI groundout and a fielding error which lowered the Citadel lead by just two runs. From that point, however, the Citadel tacked on five more insurance runs and shut down the Sharks offense. An RBI triple from first baseman Noah Mitchell started the scoring in the sixth inning and it was capped off by an RBI double by center fielder Luke Montenery in the seventh. Citadel relievers CJ Van Slooten (credited with the win), Yates Bland, and Gant Starling held LIU to just two hits across the final 3.3 innings. The series finale will take place Sunday 1:00PM EST.
Fordham
Game 1: Fordham 6, North Florida 7
Game 2: Fordham 5, North Florida 6 (10 innings)
North Florida struck first with an RBI single courtesy of right fielder Cherokee Nichols in the second inning. The Rams responded with an impressive 5-run third inning. Cian Sahler got the Fordham bats going with an RBI double. Peter DeMaria gave the Rams a lead with an RBI knock. Third baseman Daniel Bucciero delivered an RBI double which extended the lead. Designated hitter T.J. Watcher and catcher Tommy McAndrews both hit RBI singles which widened the Rams lead to four runs. North Florida quickly responded and got one run back in the same inning following a sacrifice fly. Then in the fifth inning, North Florida began to figure out the Fordham pitchers to even the score. The Ospreys brought in their runs via 2 RBI walks and an RBI hit by pitch. In the eighth inning, North Florida took the lead by scoring two runs. Pinch hitter Dallen Leach drove in the first run with the help of a throwing error, and alert base running by pinch runner Finn Howell, who scored on a wild pitch, gave the Ospreys a two run lead. The Rams almost staged a rally in the final frame but came up just short. Cian Sahler drove in his second run of the game which brought the Rams just one run behind on the scoreboard, but they couldn’t close the gap entirely.
Hofstra
Game 1: Hofstra 5, Nevada 6
Is it too soon to relive our win from today? #BattleBorn pic.twitter.com/YNhAgdAN1C
— Nevada Baseball (@NevadaBaseball) March 5, 2023
Hofstra got on the board in the first game thanks to an RBI single by right fielder Brian Morrell in the third inning. Nevada responded by scoring six consecutive runs. This stretch began in the fourth inning, getting a run across on a groundout double play to even the score. Nevada took the lead in the fifth off a sacrifice fly, and tacked on two more runs in the same inning off a wild pitch and a passed ball. An RBI double by second baseman Mason Hirata extended the lead to four, and catcher Matt Clayton knocked an RBI single which brought the Nevada lead to five in the seventh inning. Hofstra staged a ninth inning rally that was kickstarted by catcher Kevin Bruggeman’s base running as he scored on a wild pitch. A throwing error and a two-run RBI single by Ryan Morash gave Hofstra their third, fourth, and fifth runs. Jacob Biesterfeld entered the game to deliver the final out and secure the save for Nevada.
Division-II:
Adelphi 8, Molloy 4
Some sensational play by the ‘Cats all around. 👏👏🙌
What a home opener…⚾️
Back for ✌️ tomorrow!
STORY 📎: https://t.co/wsRM17ebTR#PawsUp🐾 pic.twitter.com/aulam1sB3X
— Adelphi Baseball (@AdelphiBaseball) March 4, 2023
Molloy jumped out to an early lead in the fourth inning. The Lions put up four runs, kicked off by designated hitter Chris Giardino’s RBI single, and capped off by an RBI triple courtesy of center fielder Garrett Scavelli. The Panthers would then put up eight consecutive runs starting in the fifth inning. Shortstop Jack Wishner started the scoring for Adelphi by hitting his first of two RBI singles in the game. In the sixth, both Tim Feliz and Anthony Cipri knocked in RBI singles which evened the score. The Panthers then took the lead in the eighth inning off timely hitting by Wishner, third baseman Albert Ramos, and left fielder Kyle Olson. Panther relievers Jacob Pedersen, who collected the win and Coleton Reitan shut down the Lion bats, and surrendered only one hit combined across 3.1 innings. These teams will play a double header on Sunday with the opening game beginning at 11:00 AM EST.
Division-III:
Game 1: Farmingdale 2, Scranton 17
Game 2: Farmingdale 1, Scranton 0
Scranton bats came out hot in the opening game and scored two runs in the first inning. A two-run RBI double by designated hitter John Zarnowski got the Royals on the board. Farmingdale got one run back in the second inning off a solo blast by center fielder Bobby Pollock in the second inning. Scranton responded by putting up four in the third inning which began with a two-run RBI single by Jake Lisicky. Farmingdale scored their second run of the game in the fourth inning off a sacrifice fly by Brad Sakellarides. Scranton would then go on to tally eleven straight runs, highlighted by an impressive seven run inning in the fifth frame. The Royals played small ball and drove in their runs via RBI singles and doubles. Scranton was not done and added another run in the sixth and three more in the seventh. Zarnowski ended the first game with three hits and two RBIs. Right fielder Jack Heineman also had a strong day at the plate with two hits and two RBIs.
The second game was a pitcher’s duel. Farmingdale scored the only run on a walk-off in the ninth inning via a fielder’s choice which resulted in center fielder Ryan Wasserman crossing home plate. PItching was the story in this one. Scranton’s Hunter Ralston got the starting nod and threw seven shutout innings with five punchouts. Farmingdale relied on both Johnny Dougherty and Michael Camardi to carry the load. Dougherty threw four innings with two strikeouts and Camardi, the winning pitcher, struck out four Royals across five innings.
Maritime 9, Monmouth (IL) 24
Monmouth got out to a large lead early and did not look back. An incredible 7 run first inning began with an RBI walk by right fielder Todd Fowler. Monmouth attacked Maritime early with two RBI singles and two RBI doubles in the opening frame. The Fighting Scots put up five more runs in the second inning, highlighted by a three-run RBI triple by catcher Daniel Lummus. Maritime got on the board in the third inning via a Freddy Forgione two-run RBI double. Trying to rally back, Maritime tacked on three more in the fourth inning, capped off by a two-run blast by right fielder Rob Copozzi. Monmouth responded in the same frame by putting up five more runs and put the game out of reach. Monmouth had four hitters who registered at least three hits during their offensive explosion. Despite the defeat, Maritime received impressive performances from Freddy Forgione, who went 4-5 with four RBIs and Rob Copozzi who drove in three runs.
