Myrtle Beach, S.C. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team kicked off its 2025 campaign on Friday, splitting a doubleheader with Bentley University at The Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach. STAC took the nine-inning opener 13-6, before the Falcons won the seven-inning contest in walk-off fashion, 7-6.
STAC moves to 1-1 on the season, while Bentley improves to 3-2.
The victory in game one on Friday is also the first in the head coaching career of John-Michael Guarino.
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME ONE):
Bottom 2nd Inning - Chris Ewing singled to left field, RBI; Braden Seeber advanced to second base; Kyle DeCresce scored. 1-0 STAC
Top 3rd Inning - Brendan Sencaj doubled to center field, 2 RBI; Tommy Bolton scored; Curt Heath scored. 2-1 BENT
Top 3rd Inning - Jared Berardino doubled to center field, RBI; Brendan Sencaj scored. 3-1 BENT
Bottom 3rd Inning - Tyler Haydt grounded out to shortstop, RBI; Brian Klumpp advanced to third base; C.J. Cumbo scored. 3-2 BENT
Bottom 4th Inning - Ryan Appell doubled to left field, 2 RBI; Chris Ewing advanced to third base; Anthony Dimarco scored; Braden Seeber scored. 4-3 STAC
Bottom 4th Inning - C.J. Cumbo singled to left field, RBI; Ryan Appell advanced to third base; Chris Ewing scored, unearned. 5-3 STAC
Bottom 4th Inning - C.J. Cumbo out at second base; shortstop to second base, caught stealing; Ryan Appell stole home. 6-3 STAC
Bottom 5th Inning - Anthony Dimarco doubled to left field, 2 RBI; Kyle DeCresce scored; Tyler Haydt scored. 8-3 STAC
Top 6th Inning - Jack Matthews flied out to left field, sacrifice-fly, RBI; Nick Pappas advanced to third base; Stan DeMartinis III scored. 8-4 STAC
Top 6th Inning - Patrick Purcell singled to center field, RBI; Nick Pappas scored. 8-5 STAC
Top 7th Inning - Brendan Sencaj homered to left field, RBI. 8-6 STAC
Bottom 8th Inning - Kyle DeCresce homered to center field, 3 RBI; Tyler Haydt scored; C.J Cumbo scored. 11-6 STAC
Bottom 8th Inning - Chris Ewing singled, 2 RBI; Anthony Dimarco scored; Brayden Seeber scored. 13-6 STAC
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME TWO):
Top 3rd Inning - David Potenza scored on a passed ball. 1-0 STAC
Bottom 3rd Inning - Jared Berardino reached first on an error by right field, advanced to second base; Brendan Sencaj scored, unearned. GAME TIED 1-1
Top 5th Inning - C.J. Cumbo doubled to center field, 2 RBI; David Potenza scored, unearned; Chris Ewing scored. 3-1 STAC
Top 5th Inning - Brian Klumpp flied out to left field, sacrifice-fly, RBI; C.J. Cumbo scored, unearned. 4-1 STAC
Bottom 5th Inning - Jared Berardino doubled to center field, out at third base; center field to third base, RBI; Tommy Bolton scored. 4-2 STAC
Top 6th Inning - David Potenza singled to shortstop, RBI; Chris Ewing advanced to second base; Michael Zeis scored, unearned. 5-2 STAC
Top 6th Inning - C.J. Cumbo singled to left field, RBI; David Potenza advanced to third base; Chris Ewing scored, unearned. 6-2 STAC
Bottom 7th Inning - Tommy Bolton hit by pitch, RBI; David Vanderzouwen advanced to second base; Curt Heath advanced to third base; Rene Nunez scored. 6-3 STAC
Bottom 7th Inning - Brendan Sencaj doubled to right field, 2 RBI; Tommy Bolton advanced to third base; D. Vanderzouwen scored; Curt Heath scored. 6-5 STAC
Bottom 7th Inning - Stan DeMartinis III doubled to left field, 2 RBI; Brendan Sencaj scored; Tommy Bolton scored. 7-6 BENT
STAC PERFORMANCES:
- C.J. Cumbo smacked five hits in seven at-bats, including a doubles in the twin bill. He also drove in four runs and scored three times.
- Kyle DeCresce went 2-for-4, with a homer in game one, while tallying an 3 RBIs and three runs scored.
- The Spartans also saw multi-hit days from Anthony Dimarco (3-for-5, Double, 2 RBI, 2 Runs), Chris Ewing (2-for-4, 3 RBI, 3 Runs) and David Potenza (2-for-2, RBI, 2 Runs).
- Andrew Alameda got the start in game one of Friday's twin bill and threw 5.1 innings, allowing five runs on five hits, while walking five and fanning two. Alameda earned his first victory of the year.
- Jeremiah Vega and Kyle Rogers were each summoned from the bullpen for the final 3.2 innings for the Spartans, combining to allow just four hits and a run, while walking one and striking out two.
- Andrew Schoelles took the mound for game two and gave up four runs (three earned) on four hits over six innings of work, while walking three and K-ing three. Schoelles was charged with a no-decision.
- Reliever John Dezago came on in the seventh inning and allowed two hits and three runs, while walking one, to take the loss for the maroon and gold. Dezago slips to 0-1 on the year.
FACTS & FIGURES:
- The Spartans totaled 19 runs on 17 hits, with 2 errors, while Bentley earned 13 runs on 15 hits, with 3 errors in the twin bill.
- STAC pitchers struck out 7 Falcons batters, while issuing 10 walks on the day.
- St. Thomas Aquinas stranded 14 runners on base, while Bentley left 12 in the doubleheader.
UP NEXT:
STAC continues its three-day South Carolina tour, taking on Franklin Pierce University on Saturday, February 22. First pitch between the Spartans and Ravens is set for 11:00 a.m. at the Ripken Experience.