The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team rallied to score three runs in the top of the ninth inning to beat Dominican College 4-2 on Friday afternoon in the NCAA East Regional Tournament at Franklin Pierce University. STAC improves to 26-6 on the year, with Dominican falling to 19-15 in the first elimination game of the tourney.

How it Happened

• Dominican took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on an RBI single up the middle by Brian Sanders, scoring Arthur Quinones.
• STAC tied the game at one on the strength of a Danny Di Marzo RBI single to center field, plating pinch-runner Joe Scamardella in the top of the eighth inning.
• The Chargers went back on top 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single through the left side of the infield by Bobby Garbuio, scoring Joshua Colon.
• In the top of the ninth inning, an RBI single to left field by Andrew Jemison, brought Matt Johnson home to tie the score at 2-2.
• The Spartans then took the lead in the ninth, as a Joe Scammardella singled to right field, scoring Andrew Jemison. An error by Chargers right fielder Tyler Patterson on the same play also allowed Anthony Maisano to come home from second base, giving STAC a 4-2 advantage.

Top Performances

• Andrew Jemison drove in one run, tallied two hits, and scored a run.
• Joe Scamardella tallied an RBI, one hit, and scored one run.
• Danny Di Marzo drove in one run on a hit, and Brian Donnelly and Matt Johnson added a hit apiece.
• Angelo Baez pitched seven solid innings, giving up five hits and a run, while walking two and striking out seven. Baez picked up a no-decision in the contest.
• James Reilly and Justin Baeyens combined to throw two innings in relief, with Reilly picking up the win (2-2) and Baeyens grabbing the save (1). Reilly threw 1.1 innings, surrendering four hits and a run, while walking one and K'ing one. Baeyens got the final two outs of the game, fanning both DC batters.

Facts & Figures

• The Spartans posted 4 runs on 6 hits, while Dominican earned 2 runs on 9 hits.
• STAC pitchers struck out 10 Chargers batters, while issuing 3 walks.
• St. Thomas Aquinas stranded 11 runners on base. Dominican left 9.

Up Next

The Spartans (1-1) will face the loser of #5 Goldey-Beacom vs. #3 Molloy, in another elimination game on Saturday, May 29 at 7pm. The contest between the Lightning and Lions, which was scheduled for Friday evening has been postponed to Saturday morning at 11am due to rain.

2021 NCAA Baseball Championship East Regional

Hosted by Franklin Pierce University
Dr. Arthur and Martha Pappas Field (Rindge, N.H.)
Double elimination (seeds in parentheses)
Minimum 45 minutes between games, unless otherwise noted 

Thursday, May 27
Game 1: Goldey-Beacom 3/St. Thomas Aquinas 0
Game 2: Molloy 13/Franklin Pierce 5
Game 3: Southern New Hampshire 5/Dominican 1

Friday, May 28
Game 4: St. Thomas Aquinas 4/Dominican 2 (Dominican Eliminated)
Game 5: Southern New Hampshire 14/Franklin Pierce 6 (Franklin Pierce Eliminated)
Game 6: #5 Goldey-Beacom vs. #3 Molloy - Postponed to Saturday. 

Saturday, May 29
Game 6: #5 Goldey-Beacom vs. #3 Molloy - 3 p.m.
Game 7: #1 Southern New Hampshire vs. Game 6 Winner - TBA
Game 8: Game 6 Loser vs. #2 St. Thomas Aquinas - TBA (loser eliminated) 

Sunday, May 30
Game 9: Game 7 Loser vs. Game 8 Winner - Noon (loser eliminated)
Game 10: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner - 4 p.m.

Monday, May 31
Game 11: Game 10 rematch* - Noon
*Game 11 only necessary if Game 9 Winner wins Game 10.