Uniondale, N.Y. - The #4-seeded St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team suffered a 10-1 defeat at the hands of the #2-seeded and host team, Molloy University on Friday afternoon at the Mitchel Field Athletic Complex on Long Island.
STAC slips to 24-26 on the year and will face the top seed, D'Youville University in an elimination game at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. The Saints, who were upset by the Spartans in the tournament opener on Thursday, bounced the defending champs, Queens College, with a 3-1 decision in today's first contest. Meanwhile, Molloy improves to 38-12 on the season and advances to Saturday's championship round.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Top 1st Inning - Gavin McAlonie tripled to right-center field, as both Aidan Larkin and JJ DeVito scored. 2-0 MOL
Top 1st Inning - Matt Yip singled to center field, RBI with Gavin McAlonie coming to the plate. 3-0 MOL
Top 2nd Inning - Gavin McAlonie singled through the right side as Aidan Larkin advanced to second base and JJ DeVito scored. 4-0 MOL
Btm 5th Inning - Sean Lynch was walked with the bases loaded, moving Joseph Scamardella to second base, C.J. Cumbo to third base, while allowing Billy Minett to come home. 4-1 MOL
Top 8th Inning - Sean Welsh doubled down the left field line, bringing both Anthony Manisero and Matt Yip to the plate. 6-1 MOL
Top 8th Inning - Patrick Sanchez doubled to right-center field, scoring Sean Welsh. 7-1 MOL
Top 8th Inning - JJ DeVito reached on a fielder's choice, advancing Chris Giardino to second base and then third base on the error, as Patrick Sanchez advanced to third base and then scored an unearned run on a fielding error by the second baseman. 8-1 MOL
Top 8th Inning - Aidan Larkin grounded out to third base, with JJ DeVito advancing to second base and Chris Giardino scoring another unearned run. 9-1 MOL
Top 8th Inning - Gavin McAlonie singled through the right side, plating JJ DeVito with the third unearned run of the inning. 10-1 MOL
STAC PERFORMANCES:
- C.J. Cumbo posted a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 in the contest.
- Billy Minett (1-for-4) smacked a double in the against the Lions, while also scoring a run.
- STAC also received hits from Gregory DiGiaro (1-for-4), and David Potenza (1-for-4)
- John Archer (L, 4-6) got the start for STAC and lasted just two innings, allowing four runs on six hits, while striking out two.
- Cole Lindquist and Jeremiah Vega were each called upon of the bullpen to stabilize things for the maroon and gold. Unfortunately, the duo surrendered six runs (three earned) on nine hits, while walking two and fanning six over the final seven innings.
FACTS & FIGURES:
- The Spartans posted 1 run on 5 hits, with 1 error, while Molloy earned 10 runs on 15 hits, with 1 error.
- STAC pitchers struck out 8 Lions batters, while issuing just 2 walks on the day.
- St. Thomas Aquinas stranded 8 runners on base. Meanwhile Molloy left 7 in the ECC Tournament contest.
UP NEXT:
STAC will try and stave off elimination when they take on D'Youville University on Friday evening at the Mitchel Field Athletic Complex. First pitch between the Spartans and Saints is set for 5:00 p.m. in Uniondale, New York.