Matt MarottaSpartans Edge Bridgeport, Advance to ECC Championship
The St. Thomas Aquinas baseball team beat visiting Bridgeport 2-1 to advance to the next round of the East Coast Conference playoffs. With the score tied 1-1 in the ninth inning, Chris Zapata hit a one out single and then stole second and third giving STAC a chance to win the game. Matt Marotta hit a fly ball to shallow centerfield scoring Zapata and winning the game for the Spartans. Starting pitcher Brian LaMarr went eight innings as he scattered five hits, gave up one run and struck out three.
Pitcher David Schwarze came in to pitch in the top of the ninth giving up two hits and striking out one. With runners in scoring position the Purple Knights Kevin Clements hit a single to centerfield. Cody Quinn attempted to score from second and was thrown out at the plate by a great play between Matt Smith (cf) and catcher Joe Guistino.
Earlier in the game Nick Barbalato hit a RBI single to score
Zapata (pictured on left) who led of the inning with a
walk, to tie the game at one. Barbalato was 2-for-4 for the
day while Dan McDermott went 3-for-4.
The Spartans will travel to # 2 Molloy College on Friday to face the Lions in the next round of the ECC playoffs at 12:00. This is a double elimination tournament and live stats will be available throughout the entire tournament. To view the bracket click on the link below.
