The St. Thomas Aquinas baseball team split with the University of New Haven on Sunday dropping the first game, 5-4 before coming back with a 5-1 victory.  In game one, rookie Nick Barbalato had a strong offensive output going 4-5 in the loss.   In game two, starting pitcher Mark Fochesato earned the victory for the Spartans allowing only one run in the sixth.

Game 1 Recap

After being held scoreless for seven innings, the Spartans broke through and scored three runs in the top of the 8th to take a 3-2 lead, but were not able to hold the lead in the 5-4 extra inning loss. Starting pitcher Bryan LaMarr went 5.1 innings, surrendering 2 runs and 3 hits in a no-decision.  The offense was led by freshman Nick Barbalato who went 4-for-5, including two doubles.  Barbalato also scored with a run, had an RBI, and stole 2 bases.  Vin Malzahn and Joe Giustino went 2-4 at bat. A Kevin Connors single plated two runs in for the Spartans.

 
Game 2 Recap

Vin Malzahn ripped an RBI double in the first inning to give STAC a 1-0 lead they did not relinquish for the remainder of the game.  Starting pitcher Mark Fochesato held the New Haven bats silent for six innings, allowing only one run in the 6th.  Dan McDermott and Fernando Peralta each had two hits and an RBI to lead the Spartan offense.  Matt Marotta, Kevin Connors, and Vin Malzahn each went 1-3 with a run and an RBI.

The Spartans will travel to Florida on Thursday as they prepare to play ten games over the course of the week.