Pomona, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team climbed into an ECC playoff spot on Sunday afternoon by virtue of a 13-4 Senior Day victory over Mercy College at Clover Stadium.
STAC improves to 19-24 overall and 10-10 in ECC play, while Mercy slips to 19-26 and 9-11. Taking three of four games in the regular season series, the Spartans vaulted over the Mavericks and currently hold the last playoff spot in the upcoming conference tournament. Both squads have one, four-game ECC series remaining this coming weekend (April 3-5), with STAC playing at Lincoln University (Pa.) (11-31, 1-19 ECC) and Mercy hosting D'Youville University (26-17, 15-5 ECC).
Prior to the contest between the Spartans and Mavericks, STAC honored its graduating senior class; C.J. Cumbo, Gregory DiGiaro, Joseph Scamardella, Will Kindl, Eric Volpi, David Potenza, Jalen Grant, Justin Klayman, Billy Minett, Sean Lynch and John Archer with on-field ceremonies, which included their teammates, families, coaches and college administrators.
Additionally, the Spartans welcomed back and honored members of the 1974 St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team, who are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of their inaugural season. Former players Robert Bodnar, Carl Ferraro, Joe Martin were on-hand to throw out ceremonial first pitches prior to the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Top 1st Inning - Nolan Giblin singled through the right side, advancing Brandon Nolasco to third base as Jaden Caballero scored. 1-0 MER
Top 1st Inning - John Nisco reached on a fielder's choice, with Nolan Giblin being called out at second base and Brandon Nolasco scoring 2-0 MER
Btm 1st Inning - Gregory DiGiaro homered to right field, also bringing Chris Ewing, Joseph Scamardella and C.J. Cumbo to the plate. 4-2 STAC
Btm 2nd Inning - Joseph Scamardella singled to center field, allowing C.J. Cumbo to score. 5-2 STAC
Top 4th Inning - Brandon Nolasco flied out to right field on a sacrifice fly, as Joseph Gonzalez made his way home. 5-3 STAC
Top 6th Inning - Brandon Nolasco singled to center field with Jaden Caballero advancing to third base and Justin Glennerster scoring. 5-4 STAC
Btm 8th Inning - Gregory DiGiaro reached on a fielder's choice, with Chris Ewing being called out at second base via a throw from the third baseman to the second baseman and Alex Celeiro advancing to third base and then scoring on a throwing error by the second baseman. 6-4 STAC
Btm 8th Inning - Billy Minett homered to left field, also scoring Gregory DiGiaro. 8-4 STAC
Btm 8th Inning - Nick Oelcher singled to left field, driving in David Potenza. 9-4 STAC
Btm 8th Inning - C.J. Cumbo singled to left field, bringing Nick Oelcher home. 10-4 STAC
Btm 8th Inning - Sean Lynch singled to left field and advanced to second on a throwing error by the left fielder, as both Joseph Scamardella and C.J. Cumbo scored. 12-4 STAC
Btm 8th Inning - Chris Ewing singled to left field, as Sean Lynch made his way to the plate. 13-4 STAC
STAC PERFORMANCES:
- C.J. Cumbo went 5-for-5 on the day, with a triple, while driving in a run and scoring three times.
- Gregory DiGiaro (2-for-5, 4 RBI, 2 runs) and Billy Minett (1-for-1, 2 RBI and a run) each stroked home runs Sunday, with DiGiaro blasting a grand slam and Minett hitting a two-run shot.
- STAC also received a multi-hit game from Joseph Scamardella, who had two hits in four at-bats, with an RBI and 2 runs scored. He was also walked once.
- Sean Lynch (1-for-5, 2 RBI, run), Kyle DeCresce (1-for-4), Chris Ewing (1-for-3, RBI, run, 2 walks) and Nick Oelcher (1-for-4, RBI, run) also added to the hit totals for the Spartans.
- Bobby LeFevre got the start for STAC in the series finale and threw five and a third innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits, while walking two and striking out three. LeFevre (4-2) earned his fourth win of the year in six decisions.
- Jeremiah Vega, Anthony Holtje and Lorent Hoti combined to pitch three and two-thirds solid innings out of the bullpen, locking down the win for the maroon and gold. The trio only allowed a hit and two walks, while fanning one.
FACTS & FIGURES:
- The Spartans totaled 13 runs on 14 hits, with 1 error, while Mercy earned 4 runw on 10 hits, with 2 errors.
- STAC pitchers struck out 4 Mavericks batters, while issuing 4 walks on the day.
- St. Thomas Aquinas stranded 5 runners on base, as Mercy left 8 on in the conference contest.
UP NEXT:
STAC hosts crosstown rivals Dominican University in the team's home finale on Wednesday, May 1 at Clover Stadium. First pitch between the Spartans and Chargers is set for 7:00 p.m in Pomona, New York.