The St. Thomas Aquinas College baseball team returned from a five-day layoff to post a 4-1 non-conference victory over Kutztown University at Provident Bank Park. The Spartans have now won two straight at home and 10 of their last 13 overall to improve to 24-9 on the season, while dropping Kutztown to 18-24.

Despite last week's light schedule, STAC also made a move in the National College Baseball Writers' Association polls. In the East Region, the Spartans jumped two slots to regain the #3 spot, while in the national poll they received the 26th highest vote total, just one point out of the national Top 25.

With the long break, ace Matt Kostolos was given the start and his squad gave him a quick run in the home first, with Brandon Fischer's sac fly plating Greg Dawber, who led off with a double. STAC would threaten but could not provide their starter with any insurance runs, which proved costly when Brady McNab's homer to deep right field tied the score in the top of the fifth.

Kostolos gave way to Scott Hannon after five strong innings, allowing just five hits and the one run while striking out five without a walk. STAC came through with a pair in the bottom of the sixth on Giovanni Dingcong's RBI single, with Dawber driving in another with a double later in the frame to give the hosts a 3-1 edge.

A trio of Golden Bears' errors added an unearned run in the eight and Hannon allowed just one hit in three scoreless innings before turning the ball over to closer George Navadel who worked a pristine inning for the save. Hannon improved to 5-0 on the season with the relief victory, while Navadel's save was his 10th on the campaign, tying CJ Ferriggi for the all-time STAC record in that category.

Nine different Spartans hit safely in the 12-hit attack, with Dawber, Dingcong, and Joseph Pena posting two hits each. McNab paced the Kutztown attack with a three-hit afternoon.

The Spartans return to action on Wednesday, April 20, hosting Concordia College in a 3:30 pm non-conference start at Provident Bank Park. The attention then returns to East Coast Conference play as STAC, which remains in a first place tie with an 8-4 mark, begins a four-game set with Dowling College on Friday night in a 7:00 pm start at PBP. The teams will shift to Long Island for a Saturday double before finishing the set in Pomona on Sunday.

- Steve Balsan, St. Thomas Aquinas Sports Information

- Photo by Dorice Arden