UNIONDALE, N.Y. – Second-seeded Molloy and fourth-seeded St. Thomas Aquinas picked up wins to move into the winner's bracket on opening day of the 2024 ECC Baseball Championship at Mitchel Athletic Complex on Thursday afternoon. The Lions walked it off over third-seeded Queens, 4-3, in dramatic fashion while the Spartans handled top-seeded D'Youville, 7-3.
(2) Molloy 4, (3) Queens 3
Box Score
On the back of two runs scored in the ninth inning, the second-seeded baseball team advanced to the winner's bracket of the East Coast Conference Championship. The No. 22 Lions topped the third-seeded Knights of Queens, 4-3. Molloy improved to 37-12 on the season while QC dropped to 30-17.
How it Happened
• The Knights threatened in the top of the first inning, loaded the bases on three singles, but a strikeout and ground out from senior pitcher Charlie Cucchiara kept the Lions out of trouble.
• The cardinal and white loaded the bases in the bottom of the second inning with singles from freshmen Patrick Sanchez and Joe Burriesci and a walk to freshman Chris Giardino.
• Junior JJ DeVito was hit by a pitch for the 26th time this season to score the game's first run.
• A sacrifice fly from senior Aidan Larkin doubled the score.
• Queens would get on the board in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly from Phil Krpata, cutting the deficit in half.
• A lead-off single from Michael Vilardi set the stage for a two-run home run from Thomas Napolitano Jr. in the top of the ninth, giving the Knights a 3-2 lead heading into the top of the ninth.
• DeVito launched the ball over the left field fence in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at three.
• Larkin walked in the following at bat before scoring on a walk-off double from senior Matt Yip to win the game for the Lions.
Top Performances
• Senior Gavin McAlonie led with two hits and a double.
• DeVito, Larkin, Yip, Sanchez, Burriesci, and senior Anthony Manisero all recorded a hit for the Lions.
• DeVito led with two RBI on the afternoon while Manisero swiped a bag.
• Cucchiara sat down six batters through a complete game effort for his 10th win of the season.
Up Next
The Lions await the winner of the matchup between St. Thomas Aquinas and D'Youville to determine who they will face in the winner's game tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. from Mitchel Field.
Recap courtesy of Molloy University Sports Information
(4) St. Thomas Aquinas 7, (1) D'Youville 3
Box Score
Andrew Alameda's outstanding performance on the mound Thursday afternoon, helped lead the No. 4-seeded St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team to a 7-3 victory over top-seeded D'Youville University to open the 2024 East Coast Conference Tournament at the Mitchel Field Athletic Complex on Long Island.
STAC improves to 24-25 on the season, and will face the host team and No. 2 seed, Molloy University (37-12) on Friday, May 10. Meanwhile, D'Youville slips to 29-19 and will take on No. 3 Queens College (30-18) in an elimination game, also on Friday. The Lions defeated the Knights 4-3 in Thursday's other first round contest.
How it Happened
Btm 1st Inning - Billy Morris reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second base on a throwing error by the second baseman, as Jake Hollins is called out at second base via a throw by the third baseman to the second baseman. Meanwhile, Alex Dzimian scored on the play. 1-0 DYU
Top 3rd Inning - Kyle DeCresce singled to right field, with Sean Lynch advancing to second base and Joseph Scamardella scoring. GAME TIED 1-1
Top 3rd Inning - Chris Ewing singled through the left side, as Kyle DeCresce advanced to second base and Sean Lynch scored. 2-1 STAC
Top 3rd Inning - Gregory DiGiaro doubled to left field, with Chris Ewing advancing to third base and Kyle DeCresce coming to the plate. 3-1 STAC
Top 3rd Inning - Nick Oelcher singled through the right side, as Gregory DiGiaro advanced to third base and Chris Ewing scored. 4-1 STAC
Top 3rd Inning - Billy Minett flied out to right field on a sacrifice fly, with Nick Oelcher advancing to second base and then third base on an error by the first baseman and then scored and unearned run on another error, this one by the left fielder. Gregory DiGiaro also scored. 6-1 STAC
Btm 4th Inning - Alec Boucher homered to right field. 6-2 STAC
Top 7th Inning - Kyle DeCresce singled through the left side, with Sean Lynch scoring. 7-2 STAC
Btm 9th Inning - Jake Hollins hit by pitch with the bases loaded, moving Alex Dzimian to second base, Craig Oliver to third base and brining Hunter Nowak to the plate. 7-3 STAC
STAC Performances
• Sean Lynch went 3-for-5 on the day, with a triple, and scored twice.
• STAC also received a multi-hit games from Kyle DeCresce, who had two hits in five at-bats, with two RBI and a run scored, and Joseph Scamardella, who went 2-for-5, while scoring a run.
• Gregory DiGiaro (1-for-4, 2B, RBI, Run), Billy Minett (1-for-3, 2B, RBI), Chris Ewing (1-for-4, RBI, Run, BB), Nick Oelcher (1-for-4, RBI, Run, BB) and C.J. Cumbo (1-for-3, BB) also added to the hit totals for the Spartans.
• Andrew Alameda got the start for STAC in the playoff opener and hurled eight and a third superb innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, while walking three and striking out two. Alameda earned the postseason victory and moved to 6-4 on the year.
• John Dezago was called upon to get the final out game for the maroon and gold in the ninth inning, and did just that to secure things for the Spartans.
Facts & Figures
• The Spartans totaled 7 runs on 12 hits, with 1 error, while D'Youville earned 3 runs on 7 hits, with 2 errors.
• STAC pitchers struck out 2 Saints batters, while issuing 3 walks on the day.
• St. Thomas Aquinas stranded 9 runners on base, as D'Youville left 9 on in the conference tournament contest.
Up Next
STAC faces off with Molloy University on Friday afternoon (weather permitting) at the Mitchel Field Athletic Complex. First pitch between the Spartans and Lion is set for 2:00 p.m.
Recap courtesy of St. Thomas Aquinas College Sports Information