St. Thomas Aquinas Outlasts Baseball In 10 Innings, 3-2
Box Score
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (April 15, 2009) – Senior second baseman Chris Zapata singled to the pitcher on a sacrifice bunt to drive in the winning run in the 10th inning as St. Thomas Aquinas escaped C.W. Post with a 3-2 win in an East Coast Conference baseball matchup Wednesday afternoon.
The Spartans improve to 11-18 overall and 4-8 in conference play while the Pioneers fall to 9-22 overall and 6-4 in conference play.
St. Thomas Aquinas scored its first run in the top of the second inning when freshman centerfielder Nick Barbalato hit a one-out RBI single to left field to score junior third baseman Kevin O'Connors from third.
The game stayed a one-run game until the Spartans scored their second in the seventh via a double to left center off the bat sophomore rightfielder Matt Smith that scored sophomore leftfielder Joe Antenucci from first.
C.W. Post scored its first run in the bottom of the eighth when senior second baseman
Kyle Walker (Wantagh, N.Y.) scored on a throwing error by the third baseman.
The Pioneers tied the game in the bottom of the ninth when walker hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score junior pinch runner
Kyle Dean (Southbury, Conn.) from third. Senior designated hitter
Brian Anderson (Nesconset, N.Y.) followed up with a walk that loaded the bases, but the Pioneers couldn't push the winning run across the plate and senior first baseman
Anthony Montesano (Bellmore, N.Y.) struck out swinging to end the inning.
In the top of the 10th, Smith led off with a single to right field and advanced during the next at bat on a wild pitch. Junior first baseman Vin Malzahn grounded out to second base but advanced Smith to third. Zapata came to the plate two batters later after a Connors was intentionally walked and drove in the run with a bunt single back to the pitcher.
In the bottom half of the inning, senior leftfielder
Bruce Testa (Glen Cove, N.Y.) walked with one out but never advanced as senior third baseman
#P.J. Ragone# (Deer Park, N.Y.) ended the game reaching on a fielder's choice as Testa was tagged out at second.
Sophomore Matt Marotta earned the win, pitching the final inning and a third and struck out to batters. Freshman
Greg Byrnes (Mount Sinai, N.Y.) took the loss after coming in to pitch in the top of the 10th.
Smith led the Spartans at the plate, batting 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Junior centerfielder
Mike Callaghan (East Meadow, N.Y.) led the Pioneers with two hits in the game.
C.W. Post returns to action April 17 with a meeting at Mercy College at 3 p.m. The Pioneers will return the favor the following day hosting the Mavericks in a doubleheader scheduled for 12 p.m.