by Max Edelman
Hofstra vs Stony Brook
With his home run at Stony Brook today, #Hofstra senior Steve Harrington became the 12th player in program history to record 20 career home runs. #PrideOfLI pic.twitter.com/qpBdfeXYCM
— Hofstra Baseball (@HofstraBaseball) May 4, 2024
The Hofstra Pride held off a late surge by their cross town rival Stony Brook Seawolves to take a narrow 3-2 road victory. The Pride used 10 hits, as well as a strong outing from starter Michael O’Hanlon to take down the Seawolves.
For the Pride, they opened the scoring in the fourth inning with a home run by Steve Harrington. Later that inning, the Pride doubled their advantage when Penn Sealey singled in the second run of the game for Hofstra. The Pride wouldn’t score again until the seventh, when Dylan Palmer drove in what would turn out to be the game winning run. Michael O’Hanlon had what was perhaps the best start of his Hofstra career. In 8.1 innings, O’Hanlon struck out eight, and allowed two runs on four hits. Mike McKenna picked up his eighth save of the year for Hofstra.
For the Seawolves, they weren’t able to get on the scoreboard until the ninth inning, when Johnny Pilla and Matt Miceli each drove in runs, but they were unable to come back against Hofstra. Colin Rhein started the game for the Seawolves and was the losing pitcher. In seven innings, Rhein struck out four and allowed two earned runs on seven hits.
The two teams will play the second of three Saturday at Stony Brook.
Fordham
The Fordham Rams stormed back from 6-1 down to take down the Saint Joseph’s Hawks 8-6 at home. A six-run sixth inning helped Fordham take down the Hawks, and earn their 19th victory of the season.
The biggest swing of the game came off the bat of Henry Pelinski, whos three run homer in the sixth gave the Rams their first lead of the game. Steve Luttazi also had two RBIs for the Rams while Tommy McAndrews and Madden Ocko each had one. Declan Lavelle started the game for the Rams, tossing five innings and allowing six runs on nine hits. Zach Karson was the winning pitcher while Aric Berg picked up the save for the Rams.
The Rams are 19-25 and will resume their series against Saint Joseph’s Saturday.
St John’s
The St. John’s Red Storm picked up their 29th victory of the year with a 7-3 victory of the Creighton Blue Jays 7-3 at home. Both teams combined for 27 hits, but it was the Red Storm who were able to bring the runners around.
Ben Beauchamp and Blake Mayberry both led St. John’s with two RBIs while Anthony Brienza and Jimmy Keenan each had one apiece. Kyle Chase started the game for the Johnnies. In 3.1 innings, Chase struck out two and allowed one run on seven hits. Louis Marinaro was the winning pitcher for St. John’s and Tim Cunningham picked up his first save of the season.
The Red Storm are 29-11-1 and will continue their series against Creighton with a doubleheader on Saturday.
LIU
The Long Island University Sharks suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Merrimack College Warriors 7-5. Despite leading 5-2 going to the ninth inning, Sharks closer Jack VanDoran allowed three home runs to help the Warriors climb back into and win the game.
Jack Power was the star offensively for the Sharks, as he hit two home runs in the game for a combined three RBIs. The other two runs came off the bat of JC Navarro, who hit a solo home run in the fourth, as well as Jake Mastillo, who drove in a run on a sacrifice fly.
Garrett Yawn started the game for the Sharks, tossing 7.2 innings, striking out eight, and allowed two runs on four hits. VanDoran was the losing pitcher.
For the Warriors, Dawson Bryce, Brooks Craigue and Braydon Dolbashian hit the three home runs in the ninth inning.
The Sharks are 23-19 and will look to bounce back against the Warriors on Saturday.
Division-II:
Queens vs Molloy
The Queens College Knights held off a late surge by the Molloy Lions to take down their New York rivals 5-4 in the first game of the final series of the year for both teams. The Knights pick up a crucial victory over a conference rival as the season comes close to its conclusion.
For the Knights Matt Filip led the way with two RBIs, while Robert Jacobsen, Jorsixt Jimenez and Francis Segarra each had one. Jordan Sanabria was the winning pitcher for the Knights. In six shutout innings, the Queens starter allowed no runs, not hits, walked seven and struck out six. Peter Nenadich III picked up the save.
For the Lions Anthony Manisero had two RBIs while Joe Burriesci had one. After winning his first nine starts of the year, Molly starter Charlie Cucchiara was charged with his first loss of the season in his final regular season start. In five innings, Cucchiara allowed four runs on six hits and struck out two.
The two teams will face off in a doubleheader on Saturday.
Adelphi
In the penultimate day of the regular season, the Adelphi Panthers split a doubleheader on the road against the College of Saint Rose Golden Knights. The Panthers were victorious in the first game 5-0 before dropping the second game 6-5.
The first game was all Adelphi, as they held the Golden Knights off the scoreboard. Grayson Pizzonia, James Eden and Erick Duignan each had one RBI for the Panthers in the first game. Coleton Reitan started the game for the Panthers and was the winning pitcher. Zach Rovner picked up his fourth save of the season.
In game two, despite putting up five runs once again, the Golden Knights offense woke up, as they took a narrow 6-5 victory. Eden connected on a solo homer in the third. While Alec Maag, Joe Pellegrino and Albert Ramos each had RBIs of their own. Gavin Gaff started the game for the Panthers and picked up his first loss of the year after six consecutive wins to begin the season. Gaff struggled in 2.2 innings, allowing four runs on six hits.
The Panthers will conclude the regular season against the College of Saint Rose on Saturday.
