The St. Thomas Aquinas baseball team beat C.W. Post, 5-3 to win 4 out of the 5 game series and clinch an ECC playoff spot.  The Spartans dropped an 8-7 game earlier in the day, giving up 3 runs in the 9th inning.  Joe Antenucci went 4-for-9 with 3 RBI and 2 runs for the day. Nick Barbalato went 4-for-8 for the day with 3 RBI and a run.

The Spartans had a 5-run 5th inning in the first game sparked by a bases loaded single from Antenucci to score Mike Walraven.  Barbalato also added a bases loaded RBI single for the Spartans.    The Pioneers came on stronger late in the game scoring 6 runs in the final two innings to come from behind and win the game. 

In game two, C.W. Post opened a 3-0 lead after two innings but the Spartans were able to even things out in the 3rd.  With runners on 2nd and 3rd, Antenucci's hit scored Walraven to put the Spartans on the scoreboard.  Barbalato and Vin Malzahn added RBI singles to drive in the other two runs and tie the game. 

Both teams went scoreless for the next three innings until the Spartans set up the victory in the 7th.  Antenucci hit another RBI single with runners in scoring position to lift STAC ahead of the Pioneers.  Barbalato added another RBI single of his own to give STAC a 2-run advantage going into the bottom of the inning.  Joe DePool went 7 innings for the Spartans, stirking out 5 batters.

The Spartans earned the #4 seed in the ECC playoffs and will face #1 seeded Bridgeport on Thursday.