Here at the United States Merchant Marine Academy for their annual “142” Game to honor the fallen Midshipmen during WW2. Here’s Coach Mike Notebaert discussing their team pic.twitter.com/2yLXbnoEiB
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 18, 2025
On a special night at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the Mariners came out of the gates swinging and defeated FDU-Florham by the score of 15-5.
It was the annual “142 Game” which is significant for USMMA because during World War II, 142 midshipman lost their lives. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown out by Captain Jim Tobin, the President and CEO of the US Merchant Marine Academy Athletic Association and Foundation.
Thank you, captain Jim Tobin, for throwing out tonight’s ceremonial first pitch at the annual “142” Game! Thanks so much for being such a huge supporter of @USMMA_Athletics!#d3baseball #OURAcademy @USMMA_Alumni @SkylineConfD3 @axcessbaseball pic.twitter.com/OcefTtCskZ
— USMMA Athletics (@USMMA_Athletics) March 18, 2025
“Today is a very small way for us to remember the sacrifice that those who came before us here at the Merchant Marine Academy made in order for us to be able to play this game here today,” said assistant coach Lou Bernardi.
The Mariners scored five runs in the home half of the first inning to take a commanding early lead in the game.
After a run scored on an error, Garrett Clapsaddle ripped a two-run single to score Tommy Chiappetti and Landon Troutt. Ricardo Olivares reached on an fielder’s choice which brought home Clapsaddle. The fifth run came across on an RBI triple by Luke Kruer.
The Knights got on the board in the top of the third on a two-run single by Zach Ganca (Bellmore JFK ’22), but that was the closest they would get.
USMMA answered right back with two runs in the third, thanks to a two-run HR by Danny Heck. They added three runs in the fourth, three runs in the fifth and two runs in the sixth inning to put the game out of reach.
Aaron Santos hit a bases-clearing double in the sixth for FDU to make it a 15-5 game but they would go quietly in innings 7-9.
Senior RHP Jacob Syversen started and earned the win for the Mariners. He went 4 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 ER) on four hits, two walks and struck out five batters. David Cherwonuk, Michael Monkevich, Travis Campbell, Caden Pierce and Luke Kruer each continued one inning of relief.
Clapsaddle, Kruer and Christian Gamez each had three hits for the hometown nine, with Kruer leading the offense with four RBIs.
With the victory, USMMA improves to 5-6 on the season, while FDU drops to 7-9. They’ll be back in action this Saturday with a double header at Kean.
