The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team took 2 of 3 ECC contests from Queens College, with a 12-0 and 5-4 doubleheader sweep of the Knights on Saturday afternoon at Palisades Credit Union Park in Pomona, NY. The Spartans improve to 19-3 overall, with an 13-3 ECC mark, while Queens falls to 11-10, 9-9.
Prior to game one between the Spartans and the Knights, the team recognized their 12 seniors; Jeffrey Dominguez, Ryan Lutz, Dylan Leahy, Austen Martinez, Jason Salva, Josten Beato, James Versage, Reyan Mustafoski, Anthony Maisano, Brian Donnelly, Angelo Baez and Alex Mack for their contributions to the STAC Baseball program during their time at the college.
Leading the STAC Offense was Brian Donnelly, who went 3-for-6, with a home run, 4 RBI and 2 Runs Scored. Other key contributors on the day were; Danny Di Marzo (2-for-8, Home Run, 2 RBI and 2 Runs Scored) and Andrew Guerra (1-for-4, Home Run, 3 RBI, 4 Runs Scored.
Game one starting pitcher Alex Mack was outstanding on the mound, as he threw 8.1 innings, giving up only one hit, while walking only one and striking out 11 to pick up his fifth win of the season. Yanni Orfanidis came on in relief in the 9th inning to get the final two outs, surrendering only a hit.
In game two, starter Aaron Dona got through only one inning for the Spartans, before having to exit the game after being hit in the arm with a comebacker to the mound. Dona finished the day, surrendering two hits and a run, while walking one and fanning one. Head Coach Jon Garvey would call on relievers Justin Baeyens, Mateo Reyes and Dylan Leahy to fill the remaining innings for their injured teammate. The trio would combine to throw five innings, giving up four hits and two runs (2 earned), while walking one and striking out three. Baeyens' three-inning outing would give him his second victory of 2021. In the seventh inning, James Reilly would work into and then get out of trouble to pick up his third save on the year. Reilly, gave up a hit and one run (1 earned), while walking one and k-ing two.
GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS - STAC 12/QUEENS 0
| 2nd Inning - Andrew Jemison singled to left field, RBI; Matthew Johnson advanced to second; Andrew Guerra scored. | 0 - 1 STAC |
| 2nd Inning - Brian Donnelly homered to right field, unearned, 4 RBI; Anthony Maisano scored, unearned; Andrew Jemison scored, unearned; Matthew Johnson scored, unearned. | 0 - 5 STAC |
| 5th Inning - Danny Di Marzo homered to right field, 2 RBI; James Versage scored. | 0 - 7 STAC |
| 5th Inning - Matthew Johnson advanced to third; Sean Lynch scored on a balk. | 0 - 8 STAC |
| 5th Inning - Anthony Maisano singled to third base, advanced to second on the throw, RBI; Andrew Jemison advanced to third; Matthew Johnson scored. | 0 - 9 STAC |
| 6th Inning - Sean Lynch singled through the left side, advanced to second on a throwing error by left field, RBI; Andrew Guerra advanced to third; Danny Di Marzo scored. | 0 - 10 STAC |
| 6th Inning - Matthew Johnson grounded out to 3b, RBI; Andrew Guerra scored, unearned. | 0 - 11 STAC |
| 8th Inning - Andrew Jemison advanced to second; Matthew Johnson advanced to third; Peter Schimmel scored on a wild pitch. | 0 - 12 STAC |
| PITCHERS | Innings Pitched | Hits | Runs | Earned Runs | Walks | Strikeouts | Home Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Mack (W, 5-0) | 8.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0 |
| Yanni Orfanidis | 0.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 9.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0 |
GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS - STAC 12/QUEENS 0
| 1st Inning - Brian Donnelly advanced to second; Anthony Maisano advanced to third; Andrew Jemison scored on a wild pitch, unearned. | 0 - 1 STAC |
| 1st Inning - Andrew Guerra homered to right field, unearned, 3 RBI; Brian Donnelly scored, unearned; Anthony Maisano scored, unearned. | 0 - 4 STAC |
| 2nd Inning - Nick Burke reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to second on a throwing error by shortstop; Jayson Rodopoulos out at second 1b to ss; Daniel Deutsch scored, unearned. | 1 - 4 STAC |
| 4th Inning - Sean Lynch singled to third base, RBI; Gregory DiGiaro advanced to second; Andrew Guerra scored. | 1 - 5 STAC |
| 5th Inning - Colin Diez tripled down the rf line, RBI; Evan Christopher scored. | 2 - 5 STAC |
| 5th Inning - Liam Pulsipher flied out to lf, sacrifice fly, RBI; Colin Diez scored. | 3 - 5 STAC |
| 7th Inning - Reed Hoskins doubled to left field, RBI; Liam Pulsipher scored. | 4 - 5 STAC |
| PITCHERS | Innings Pitched | Hits | Runs | Earned Runs | Walks | Strikeouts | Home Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Dona | 1.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Justin Baeyens (W, 2-0) | 3.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Mateo Reyes | 0.1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dylan Leahy | 1.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| James Reilly (Sv, 3) | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Totals | 7.0 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 0 |
FACTS & FIGURES
- The Spartans posted 17 runs on 17 hits, while Queens earned 4 runs on 9 hits.
- STAC pitchers struck out 19 Knights batters, while walking 4.
- St. Thomas Aquinas stranded 13 runners on base. Queens left 10.
UP NEXT
The Spartans travel to Dobbs Ferry for a Sunday afternoon ECC affair with the Mercy College Mavericks. First pitch is scheduled for 3pm.