The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team split their East Coast Conference doubleheader at the University of Bridgeport on Saturday afternoon in Bridgeport, CT. STAC earned a 13-8 victory in the opener, before falling to the Purple Knights 10-7 in game two.
Leading the Spartan offense on in the twin bill were James Versage (3-for-6/.500 BA, Home Run, 3 RBI and 2 Runs Scored), Andrew Jemison (4-for-8/.500 BA, Double, 2 RBI, and 4 Runs Scored) and Kyle Lagrutta (3-for-5/.600 BA, 2 Doubles, 2 RBI and 2 Runs Scored). Matthew Johnson, Danny DiMarzo and Brian Donnelly also contributed with their bats, posting 9 hits combined with 7 RBI and 7 Runs Scored in 27 at-bats.
Game one starting pitcher Angelo Baez lasted 5.2 innings, giving up 9 hits and 6 runs (6 earned), while walking 2 and striking out 6 to pick up a no-decision. T.J. Gregory got the win in relief of Baez, going 1.1 innings and only surrendering a hit and a walk to run his record to 2-0 on the season.
In game two, starter John Archer pitched 4.0 innings, giving up 6 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), walked 1 and struck out 3. Yanni Orfanidis came out of the bullpen to spell Archer and was not able to record an out in the fifth inning, as he surrendered 2 hits and 3 runs (3 earned), while walking 1, picking up the Spartans' first loss of 2021 and running his record to 1-1 on the season.
GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS - STAC 13/BRIDGEPORT 8
| 2nd Inning - Kyle Lagrutta doubled to left field, RBI; Christopher Conti scored. | 1 - 0 STAC |
| 2nd Inning - Matthew Johnson doubled to left center field, RBI; Kyle Lagrutta scored. | 2 - 0 STAC |
| 3rd Inning - Matt Rodriguez singled to right field, RBI; Conall Roberts advanced to third; Justin Nyarady scored. | 2 - 1 STAC |
| 3rd Inning - Andre Marchesseault grounded out to pitcher, RBI; Ryan Donnelly advanced to second; Matt Rodriguez advanced to third; Conall Roberts scored. | 2 - 2 |
| 4th Inning - Andrew Jemison singled to center field, RBI; Anthony Maisano advanced to second; Matthew Johnson scored. | 3 - 2 STAC |
| 4th Inning - James Versage walked, RBI; Brian Donnelly advanced to second; Andrew Jemison advanced to third; Anthony Maisano scored, unearned. | 4 - 2 STAC |
| 4th Inning - Danny Di Marzo reached on a fielder's choice, RBI; James Versage out at second 3b to 2b; Brian Donnelly advanced to third; Andrew Jemison scored, unearned. | 5 - 2 STAC |
| 4th Inning - Danny Di Marzo stole second, advanced to third on an error by catcher; Brian Donnelly scored, unearned. | 6 - 2 STAC |
| 5th Inning - Ryan Donnelly doubled to center field, RBI; Matt Rodriguez scored. | 6 - 3 STAC |
| 5th Inning - Andre Marchesseault tripled to center field, RBI; Ryan Donnelly scored. | 6 - 4 STAC |
| 6th Inning - Jacob Rich singled to center field, RBI; Craig Leonard scored. | 6 - 5 STAC |
| 6th Inning - Conall Roberts singled to center field, advanced to second on the throw, RBI; Jacob Rich scored. | 6 - 6 |
| 7th Inning - Kyle Lagrutta singled to center field, RBI; Christopher Conti scored. | 7 - 6 STAC |
| 8th Inning - Brian Donnelly doubled to left center field, 2 RBI; Andrew Jemison scored; Matthew Johnson scored. | 9 - 6 STAC |
| 8th Inning - James Versage homered to left field, 2 RBI; Brian Donnelly scored. | 11 - 6 STAC |
| 8th Inning - Joseph Scamardella singled to left field, RBI; Kyle Lagrutta advanced to second; Danny Di Marzo scored. | 12 - 6 STAC |
| 8th Inning - Matthew Johnson singled to center field, RBI; Joseph Scamardella advanced to second; Kyle Lagrutta scored. | 13 - 6 STAC |
| 8th Inning - Conall Roberts doubled down the right field line, 2 RBI; Jacob Rich scored; Stephen Giambra scored. | 13 - 8 STAC |
| PITCHERS | Innings Pitched | Hits | Runs | Earned Runs | Walks | Strikeouts | Home Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelo Baez | 5.2 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| TJ Gregory (W, 2-0) | 1.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Justin Baeyens | 2.0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Totals | 9.0 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 0 |
GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS - BRIDGEPORT 10/STAC 7
| 1st Inning - Andrew Jemison doubled to left field, RBI; Anthony Maisano scored. | 1 - 0 STAC |
| 1st Inning - Brian Donnelly doubled to left center field, RBI; Andrew Jemison scored. | 2 - 0 STAC |
| 1st Inning - Andre Marchesseault singled to left field, RBI; COnall Roberts scored, unearned. | 2 - 1 STAC |
| 4th Inning - Jake Woods homered to right field, 4 RBI; Jacob Rich scored; Stephen Giambra scored; Craig Leonard scored. | 2 - 5 BP |
| 5th Inning - Danny Di Marzo grounded out to second base unassisted, sacrifice fly, RBI; Andrew Jemison scored. | 3 - 5 BP |
| 5th Inning - Billy Minett singled to center field, 2 RBI; Kyle Lagrutta advanced to second; James Versage scored; Brian Donnelly scored. | 5 - 5 |
| 5th Inning - Andrew Guerra singled to center field, advanced to second on the throw, RBI; Billy Minett advanced to third; Joseph Scamardella scored. | 6 - 5 STAC |
| 5th Inning - Andre Marchesseault doubled to center field, RBI; Ryan Donnelly scored. | 6 - 6 |
| 5th Inning - Anthony Pascale homered to left field, 2 RBI; Andre Marchesseault scored. | 6 - 8 BP |
| 6th Inning - Anthony Pascale reached on a fielder's choice, RBI; Andre Marchesseault advanced to second on an error by shortstop; Ryan Donnelly advanced to third; Conall Roberts scored. | 6 - 9 BP |
| 6th Inning - Craig Leonard grounded out to first base unassisted, RBI; Anthony Pascale advanced to second; Andre Marchesseault advanced to third; Ryan Donnelly scored, unearned. | 6 - 10 BP |
| 7th Inning - Andrew Guerra grounded out to second base, RBI; Paul DeVito advanced to third; Danny Di Marzo scored. | 7 - 10 BP |
| PITCHERS | Innings Pitched | Hits | Runs | Earned Runs | Walks | Strikeouts | Home Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Archer | 4.0 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Yanni Orfanidis (L, 1-1) | 0.0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Mateo Reyes | 2.0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Totals | 6.0 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 2 |
FACTS & FIGURES
- The Spartans posted 20 runs on 25 hits, while Bridgeport earned 18 runs on 23 hits.
- STAC pitchers struck out 16 Purple Knights batters, while only walking 8.
- St. Thomas Aquinas stranded 18 runners on base. Bridgeport left 16.
UP NEXT
St. Thomas Aquinas (11-1) wraps up the three-game series with the University of Bridgeport on Sunday, April 18. First pitch is scheduled for 12pm at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT. NOTE: STAC will bat as the home team in this game due to weather and field conditions forcing the game to be moved from Palisades Credit Union Park.