The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team finally made their long awaited return to Palisades Credit Union Park on Saturday afternoon, posting an 11-4 victory over the College of Staten Island, to sweep the three-game regular season series.
Leading the Spartan offense in the team's 2021 home opener were Billy Minett with 2 hits (2B & HR), 2 RBI and 2 runs scored and Matthew Johnson with 2 hits (2B), 1 RBI and 1 run scored. Gregory DiGiaro (1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI, 1 Run) and James Versage (1-for-2, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 Run) also contributed to the STAC run scoring barrage.
On the mound, Alex Mack posted his second victory of the year, throwing seven two-hit innings and giving up no runs, while striking out 9 Dolphins in the process. Relievers Ryan Lutz, Austen Martinez and Orin Winslow closed things out for STAC over the final two innings, surrendering a combined 2 hits, 4 runs (4 earned), while walking 3 and striking out 2.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS - STAC 11/STATEN ISLAND 4
| 2nd Inning - Andrew Guerra singled to second base, RBI; Billy Minett advanced to third; Danny Di Marzo scored, unearned. | 0 - 1 STAC |
| 2nd Inning - Kyle Lagrutta flied out to center field, sacrifice fly, RBI; Andrew Guerra advanced to third; Billy Minett scored. | 0 - 2 STAC |
| 2nd Inning - Matthew Johnson doubled to left field, RBI; Andrew Guerra scored. | 0 - 3 STAC |
| 2nd Inning - Anthony Maisano singled to left field, out at second lf to 3b to 2b, RBI; Matthew Johnson scored. | 0 - 4 STAC |
| 2nd Inning - James Versage doubled to right center field, 2 RBI; Brian Donnelly scored, unearned; Andrew Jemison scored, unearned. | 0 - 6 STAC |
| 2nd Inning - James Versage scored on a wild pitch, unearned. | 0 - 7 STAC |
| 2nd Inning - Billy Minett homered to left field, unearned, 2 RBI; Danny Di Marzo scored, unearned. | 0 - 9 STAC |
| 8th Inning - Gregory DiGiaro homered to right center field, 2 RBI; Joseph Scamardella scored. | 0 - 11 STAC |
| 9th Inning - Shendi Ulah advanced to second; Michael Manzo advanced to third; Michael Crocco scored on a wild pitch. | 1 - 11 STAC |
| 9th Inning - Peter Lombardo singled to right center, 2 RBI; Shendi Ulah scored; Michael Manzo scored. | 3 - 11 STAC |
| 9th Inning - Julian Iacono singled to center field, RBI; Noah Lunn advanced to second; Peter Lombardo scored. | 4 - 11 STAC |
| PITCHERS | Innings Pitched | Hits | Runs | Earned Runs | Walks | Strikeouts | Home Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Mack (W, 2-0) | 7.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Ryan Lutz | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Austen Martinez | 0.2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Orin Winslow | 0.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 9.0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 0 |
FACTS & FIGURES
- The Spartans posted 11 runs on 9 hits, while Staten Island earned 4 runs on 4 hits.
- STAC pitchers struck out 11 Dolphins batters, while only walking 3.
- St. Thomas Aquinas stranded 9 runners on base. Staten Island left 5.
UP NEXT
St. Thomas Aquinas (9-0) heads to Mercy College on Sunday, April 11 for a 3pm ECC contest on the Dobbs Ferry campus.