Spartans Keep Rolling, Down Molloy 10-3
The St. Thomas Aquinas baseball team continues to play strong as they beat Molloy, 10-3 in today's ECC playoff match up. The Spartans fell behind 1-0 in the opening inning but a five run fourth inning gave STAC a lead they would not relinquish. The Spartans scored one run in the fifth before Vin Malzahn hit a three run homer to right field in the sixth. Malzahn was 2-for-5 for the game as he added a single in the eighth as well.
In the top of the fourth, senior Joe Guistino and Fernando Peralta each reached base with singles before Chris Zapata hit a RBI double to put STAC on the board and tie the game at 1-1. Matt Marotta reached on an error while Peralta scored the unearned run giving STAC the lead. Freshman Nick Barbalato hit a RBI single and Dan McDermott added a 2-RBI triple to left center putting the Spartans ahead 5-1.
After a pitching change, Dan Stroud lead of the fifth with a single and later scored off a RBI single by Zapata. Malzahn gave the Spartans plenty of breathing room in the sixth as he hit one over the fence to score McDermott and Smith who reached on a single and a walk. Senior Kevin Connors got in on the scoring action as he added a RBI single in the eighth to give STAC a 10-1 advantage. Molloy scored two runs in the final inning of the game but it wasn't enough.
Mike Aviles earned the win for STAC as he pitched a solid seven innings, only giving up one run, scattering two hits and striking out four batters.
Both team move on as this is a double elimination tournament. The Spartans will play the winner of today's match up between Adelphi and Dowling tomorrow at 12:00. All games are being played at Molloy College. For up to date details on the 2009 ECC baseball tournament please click link below.
