Lincoln, Pa. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team secured the final playoff berth in the upcoming East Coast Conference Tournament by sweeping a Friday afternoon twin bill from Lincoln University, 4-3 and 4-2 at the LU Baseball Complex.
STAC improves to 21-25 overall and 12-10 in ECC play, while Lincoln falls to 11-33 and 1-21. The Spartans clinched their fourth straight trip to the conference tournament on the strength of two victories, combined with Mercy's doubleheader loss to D'Youville University (3-1 and 8-5).
HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE:
Btm 1st Inning - Wesley Hogan homered to left field, also bringing in Alex Jones. 2-0 LINC
Top 3rd Inning - C.J. Cumbo grounded out to the pitcher, as David Potenza advanced to third base and Billy Minett scored an unearned run. 2-1 LINC
Btm 5th Inning - Alex Jones singled to center field, with Miguel Agramonte advancing to second base and then being thrown out on out at third base on a relay throw from the center fielder to the shortstop to the third baseman to the second baseman. Meanwhile, Jefry Azcona scored. 3-1 LINC
Top 7th Inning - Joseph Scamardella doubled to center field, as C.J. Cumbo advanced to third base and David Potenza scored. 3-2 LINC
Top 7th Inning - Sean Lynch reached first base on an error by the shortstop, with Joseph Scamardella advancing to third base and C.J. Cumbo making his way to the plate with an unearned run. GAME TIED 3-3
Top 7th Inning - Sean Lynch stole second base and then advanced to third base on an error by catcher, as Joseph Scamardella scored an another unearned run. 4-3 STAC
HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO:
Btm 1st Inning - Jaden Greenidge singled, as Wesley Hogan advanced to second and then advanced to third base on an error by the left fielder, with Alex Jones scoring. 1-0 LINC
Btm 1st Inning - Jalen Greenidge grounded out to the shortstop, with Jaden Greenidge moving to second base and Wesley Hogan scoring an unearned run. 2-0 LINC
Top 5th Inning - Billy Minett reached first base on an error by the shortstop and advanced to second base, with David Potenza scoring an unearned run on the play. 2-1 LINC
Top 6th Inning - Chris Ewing advanced to third base on a wild pitch, as C.J. Cumbo scored on the wild pitch. GAME TIED 2-2
Top 7th Inning - C.J. Cumbo singled to left center field, brining home Nick Oelcher with another unearned run. 3-2 STAC
Top 9th Inning - Billy Minett grounded out to the pitcher on a sacafice bunt, as David Potenza advanced to second base and Gregory DiGiaro scored. 4-2 STAC
STAC PERFORMANCES:
- Joseph Scamardella went 2-for-9 on the day, with a double, and he also drove in a run and scored once in the twin bill.
- The Spartans also saw a multi-hit day from David Potenza, who had two hits in seven at-bats, with two runs scored.
- STAC's Sean Lynch (1-for-5), Nick Oelcher (1-for-8, Run), C.J. Cumbo (1-for-7, 2 RBI, 2 runs, walk), Chris Ewing (1-for-5, 2 walks), and Gregory DiGiaro (1-for-7, run, walk) also added to the hit totals for the maroon and gold.
- Andrew Alameda got the start in game one of Friday's doubleheader and threw six and a third innings, allowing three runs on six hits, while walking two and fanning eight. Alameda (5-4) earned his fifth win of the campaign in nine decisions.
- John Dezago was summoned from the bullpen for the final two and two-thirds innings for the Spartans, and he allowed two hits and a walk while striking out four to earn his second save of the season.
- John Archer took the mound for game two and was stellar, pitching a complete game, while giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits, while walking no one and K'ing seven. Archer improves to 4-5 on the year.
FACTS & FIGURES:
- The Spartans totaled 8 runs on 9 hits, with 2 errors, while Lincoln earned 5 runs on 14 hits, with 6 errors in the twin bill.
- STAC pitchers struck out 19 Lions batters, while issuing only 3 walks on the day.
- St. Thomas Aquinas stranded 13 runners on base, while Lincoln left 7 in the doubleheader.
UP NEXT:
STAC closes regular season play with a Saturday afternoon (May 4) doubleheader at Lincoln University. First pitch between the Spartans and Lions is set for 12:00 p.m.