The St. Thomas Aquinas College baseball team turned a key error into a 4-2 East Coast Conference victory over Dowling College at Provident Bank Park, as George Navadel set a new school record with his 11th save this season. The Spartans are now 9-4 in conference play and in sole possession of first place in the ECC Standings, and their fifth straight win improved their overall record to 26-9. Dowling dropped to 15-17, 8-5, with the tough loss.
Long before Navadel had the chance to make his mark, the traditional conference powers locked up in a typically tight battle. After two strong innings and with two out and nobody on in the top of the third, STAC starter John Bednarek wavered, allowing a double to Tim Going and a pair of walks to load the bases. Robert Morse doubled in a pair to put the Golden Lions on top, but Bednarek recovered to retire Mike Richter and avoid further damage.
A leadoff walk in the visiting fourth brought Bednarek's night to a quick end, and freshman Scott Hannon came on to continue his string of stellar relief outings. In all, he allowed just one hit in 3.2 scoreless frames, giving his team time to mount a comeback.
STAC finally broke through on Cody McPartland in the home fifth, with Giovanni Dingcong leading off with a double and Tyler Patane following with a walk. The Spartans would proceed to load the bases with two down, and Brandon Fischer came through with a big two-RBI single up the middle to tie the score at 2-2.
In the top of the seventh, Dowling placed a runner on third with two out, and Chris Pennell came on to follow Hannon and record the final out.
McPartland finally gave way after seven innings and STAC immediately threatened in the eighth off reliever Mike Jeannetti, with Deven Del Priore leading off with a walk, John DeAngelis delivering a pinch single, and Rich Cesca, Jr. walking to load the bags with none out. Jeannetti found his bearings, however, rebounding for a pair of strikeouts, setting the stage for an unlikely finish.
With Juan Adorno at the plate, the Golden Lions called for a pickoff attempt at first base. Cesca appeared to be caught on the play, but Jeannetti's throw was wild, skidding up the right field line, allowing Del Priore and DeAngelis to score the decisive runs. That error proved even more costly when Adorno was struck out to end the inning.
From that point, all eyes were on Navadel, who came in to work the ninth. Two days earlier, the right-hander tied CJ Ferriggi's single-season mark with his 10th save in the win over Concordia, and he made quick work of the bottom of the Dowling order, requiring just 10 pitches to induce a pair of grounders and a fly ball to earn save number 11, with Pennell improving to 4-0 with the win.
A quick turnaround is in store as the series continues with a Saturday noon double-header at Dowling College before the four game set wraps up at Provident Bank Park in a 1:00 pm start on Sunday.
- Steve Balsan, St. Thomas Aquinas Sports Information
- Photo by Dorice Arden