Pomona, N.Y. - Aaron Dona's masterful pitching performance propelled the St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team to a 2-1 victory over the University of Bridgeport on Thursday evening at Clover Stadium.

The win moves STAC to 20-21 and 12-7 in conference play, clinching the final spot in the upcoming ECC Baseball Tournament. Meanwhile, Bridgeport drops to 19-26 and 8-11, eliminating the Purple Knights from postseason contention.

Prior to the contest, the Spartans honored its graduating senior class; Arthur Xanthos, Jack Wilde, Jaden Jorgenson, James Reilly, Justin Baeyens, Robert Hazelton, TJ Gregory, Gary Del Rosario, Yanni Orfanidis, Andrew Jemison, Andrew Guerra, Danny Di Marzo, Mark Barillas, Kyle Lagrutta and Matthew Johnson with on-field ceremonies, which included their teammates, families, coaches and college administrators.

When the game got underway, the story was all about pitcher Aaron Dona. The senior righty was outstanding in his final regular season start, tossing seven no-hit innings, before letting up a single to center field in the eighth. Dona finished the day allowing three hits and a run, while walking two and fanning 11 over 7.2 innings to pick up his third win of the season.

How it Happened

• Christopher Conti blasted a solo shot to right field in the fourth inning to put STAC ahead 1-0.
• The Spartans doubled the lead at 2-0 on a walk to Eric Volpi and a wild pitch, which allowed Danny Di Marzo to score from third base.
• A Michael Fletcher RBI single to center field in the eighth, scored Jeremy Rodrigues to cut the Bridgeport deficit to 2-1.
• Yanni Orfanidis picked up the final out in the eighth in relief of teammate Aaron Dona to stop the Purple Knights rally.
• Justin Baeyens earned his sixth save of the year on the strength two strikeouts and an unassisted groundout to first base in the ninth to end the ball game.

Top STAC Performances

• Christopher Conti racked up two hits in four at-bats, including a solo home run, while also recording an RBI and a run scored.
• Kyle Lagrutta, Andrew Guerra and Billy Minett all stroked singles in the contest.
• Aaron Dona (W, 3-3) - 7.2 innings (109 pitches/68 strikes), 3 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, 11 strikeouts.

Up Next

STAC continues this three-game series with Bridgeport on Saturday (May 7) at the Seaside Park Baseball Complex, in doubleheader action. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. in Connecticut.