The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team advanced to the ECC Championship Final with a 7-3 victory over Queens College at Palisades Credit Union Park in Pomona, NY on Saturday afternoon, sweeping the best-of-three semifinal series, two games to none. The Spartans improve to 25-3, while Queens closes their season at 14-13.
At the plate, Anthony Maisano starred for the Spartans, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and five RBI. Maisano picked up a bases clearing, double to left center field in the top of the sixth inning, scoring Andrew Jemison, Matthew Johnson and Joe Scamardella to make it a then 6-2 STAC advantage. Andrew Guerra also contributed to the STAC offense on the afternoon with two hits, including a two-base knock and two runs scored.
Starting pitcher Aaron Dona worked out of early-inning struggles to turn in a strong performance for St. Thomas Aquinas. Dona would give up two runs (1 earned) on six hits, while walking two and striking out four over six innings to pick up the win and run his record to 3-0 on the year. Justin Baeyens and James Reilly would combine to get the final nine outs of the contest, surrendering three hits and a run, while walking one and striking out three.
ECC SEMIFINAL SERIES GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS - STAC 7/QUEENS 3
| 1st Inning - Jayson Rodopoulos reached first on an error by c, SAC, bunt; Reed Hoskins advanced to third; Colin Diez scored. | 0 - 1 QC |
| 1st Inning - Brad Sakellarides singled to center field, RBI; Jayson Rodopoulos advanced to third; Reed Hoskins scored, unearned. | 0 - 2 QC |
| 5th Inning - Andrew Jemison grounded out to 2b, RBI; Matthew Johnson advanced to third; Joseph Scamardella scored. | 1 - 2 QC |
| 5th Inning - Anthony Maisano flied out to right field, sacrifice fly, RBI; Matthew Johnson scored. | 2 - 2 |
| 6th Inning - Andrew Jemison walked, RBI; Matthew Johnson advanced to second; Joseph Scamardella advanced to third; Andrew Guerra scored. | 3 - 2 STAC |
| 6th Inning - Andrew Maisano doubled to left center field, 3 RBI; Andrew Jemison scored; Matthew Johnson scored; Joseph Scamardella scored. | 6 - 2 STAC |
| 8th Inning - Anthony Maisano flied out to center field, sacrifice fly, RBI; Andrew Guerra scored. | 7 - 2 STAC |
| 8th Inning - Brad Sakellarides flied out to right field, sacrifice fly, RBI; Andrew Smith out at second rf to ss to 2b; Jayson Rodopoulos advanced to third; Reed Hoskins scored. | 7 - 3 STAC |
| PITCHERS | Innings Pitched | Hits | Runs | Earned Runs | Walks | Strikeouts | Home Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Dona (W, 3-0) | 6.0 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Justin Baeyens | 2.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| James Reilly | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Totals | 9.0 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
FACTS & FIGURES
- The Spartans posted 7 runs on 9 hits, while Queens earned 3 runs on 9 hits.
- STAC pitchers struck out 7 Knights batters, while walking 3.
- St. Thomas Aquinas stranded 12 runners on base. Queens left 7.
UP NEXT
St. Thomas Aquinas College now advances to the ECC Baseball Championship Final, which takes place on May 21 & 22. The Spartans will face Molloy College in the best-of three series with the chance to pick up the team's fifth postseason tournament title and an automatic bid in the NCAA Division II East Regional. Game times and locations are to be announced.