Spartans Prevail 3-2 in Final Game Against Pace
After a slow start the St. Thomas Aquinas baseball team earned their first victory of the year against Pace, 3-2 in Saturday afternoon's game. STAC opened their season on Thursday dropping a 6-3 decision followed by an 8-4 loss in Saturday's first game. The Spartans struggled in the first two games leaving too many runners stranded on base.
Game 1 vs Pace
The lack of outside practice time showed as the Spartans yielded five in the first inning and did not record a hit until the 5th. That hit and RBI came off the bat of freshman Nick Barbalato (Mahopac, NY). The defense tighted and did not allow another run until the 7th inning. Starting pitcher Brian LaMarr (Flushing, NY) settled into a rhythm and threw three consecutive scoreless innings. Freshman Joe Ferrara (New City,NY) threw four innings in relief surrendering only two hits and one unearned run. The Spartans would load the bases three times in the 5th, 7th, & 9th, but only score twice. Joe Giustino (Old Bethpage,NY) led the Spartans at the plate going 3-for-3 with a run.
Game 2 vs Pace
The Spartans' bats were once again slow to come alive not recording a hit until the 5th inning. Down 6-0, STAC came alive in the 8th with four runs and threatening to score more until the rally was eventually halted. Pace responded with two runs in the bottom of the 8th and the Spartans were unable to connect in the 9th, leaving the final score at 8-4. Starting pitcher Mike Aviles (Suffern,NY) took the loss. Pitcher Kevin Ryan (Levittown,NY) hurled three scoreless and hitless innings in relief. Nick Barbalato (Mahopac,NY) went 1-for-3 with a run and a stolen base. Joe Giustino (Old Bethpage,NY) had an RBI single and Fernando Peralta (Pine Bush,NY) had a single, a stolen base, and scored a run.
Game 3 vs Pace
In the second game of the day starting pitcher Mark Fochesato (Middletown,NY) led the way for the Spartans throwing three scoreless innings. STAC took a 2-0 lead into the 4th inning before Pace broke through scoring two to knot the game at 2-2. The late game heroics would come off the bat of Chris Zapata(Stamford,CT). With a 3-2 count and two outs, Zapata launched a drive down the right field line that appeard to be going out, but fell short for a double. Freshman catcher George Wargo (W. Haverstraw,NY) was running on the play and scored from first base, givning the Spartans a 3-2 lead. Pitcher Matt Matkovich (Suffern,NY) recorded two outs in the 6th and closer Dave Schwartz (Nanuet,NY) recorded the last four outs to seal the victory. Joe Antenucci (Emerson,NY) had a double and scored a run. Wargo reached base safley in all three plate appearances and scored the winning run.
