Pomona, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team put together a solid Sunday performance against the College of Staten Island, taking both ends of a Clover Stadium twin bill to avenge last Thursday evening's one-sided affair by the Dolphins. The Spartans posted 7-6 and 5-2 decisions to take four of the first five meetings this season.
STAC improves to 16-6 overall and 7-3 in ECC play, while CSI falls to 6-12 and 3-7.
Game One: 7-6 STAC
St. Thomas Aquinas outlasted Staten Island in a back-and-forth battle, walking it off in the ninth inning to secure a 7–6 ECC victory.
Early Response Sparks Spartans
Staten Island struck first in the opening inning, taking a 1–0 lead on an RBI single from Jack Kehoe.
The Spartans answered quickly in the second, putting together a three-run frame. Michael Zeis drove in the tying run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, before Nick Oelcher and Ryan Hillery followed with RBI singles to give St. Thomas Aquinas a 3–1 advantage.
Trading Runs Through the Middle Innings
Staten Island chipped away in the fifth with an RBI walk from Jandel Brito to make it 3–2.
St. Thomas Aquinas responded in the bottom half as Anthony Dimarco lined an RBI double to right-center, restoring a two-run cushion.
The Spartans added on in the sixth when Oelcher delivered again with an RBI double, and Tyler Haydt extended the lead to 6–2 with a solo home run in the seventh.
Late Rally Forces Drama
Staten Island began its comeback in the eighth, capitalizing on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 6–3.
In the ninth, the visitors surged all the way back. An RBI single from Jason Romance made it 6–4, and a throwing error allowed two more runs to score, tying the game at 6–6.
Walk-Off Finish
Despite the late collapse, the Spartans regrouped in the bottom of the ninth. With runners in scoring position, a wild pitch allowed Ryan Hillery to cross the plate, sealing the 7–6 walk-off win.
Pitching Holds Late
Christian Varela started for the Spartans, allowing two runs on three hits over 4.1 innings while working through traffic.
Angelo Bartziokas provided solid relief, and Lorent Hoti earned the win despite late pressure, striking out four over the final two innings.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Ryan Hillery: 2-for-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB
- Nick Oelcher: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
- Tyler Haydt: 1-for-4, HR, RBI, 2 R
- Anthony Dimarco: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
Staten Island
- Jamel Vera: 2-for-3, 2B, 3 R
- Jason Romance: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB
- Jack Kehoe: 1-for-5, RBI
- Jandel Brito: 1-for-3, RBI
Game Two: 5-2 STAC
St. Thomas Aquinas used a big middle-inning surge and a strong bullpen effort to secure a 5–2 victory over Staten Island.
Early Edge for the Spartans
The Spartans struck first in the opening inning. Anthony Dimarco drove in C.J. Cumbo with a groundout, giving St. Thomas Aquinas an early 1–0 lead.
Staten Island Briefly Takes Control
Staten Island answered in the fourth inning, jumping ahead with two runs. Jack Kehoe delivered an RBI double to tie the game, and Jaden Waterman followed with a sacrifice fly to give the visitors a 2–1 advantage.
Fourth-Inning Rally Swings Momentum
St. Thomas Aquinas responded immediately in the bottom half with a decisive rally. Nick Oelcher brought in the tying run on a fielder's choice before Ryan Hillery delivered the big hit—a two-run single to right field that put the Spartans back in front, 4–2.
Insurance Adds Breathing Room
The Spartans added an insurance run in the fifth inning when Joshua Mccormick lined an RBI single to center, extending the lead to 5–2.
Bullpen Locks It Down
Cole Lindquist started on the mound, allowing two runs on three hits over 3.2 innings.
Christian Simonsen earned the win in relief, while William Fleck bridged the gap to the final inning. James Garcia shut the door with a scoreless seventh, striking out two to record the save.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Ryan Hillery: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB
- Kyle DeCresce: 2-for-3, 2B, R
- Joshua Mccormick: 1-for-3, RBI
- Nick Oelcher: 1-for-3, RBI, R
Staten Island
- Jack Kehoe: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI
- Jason Romance: 2-for-3, R
- Jandel Brito: 1-for-2, R, BB
Up Next
STAC closes out the season series with Staten Island on Tuesday, March 31 at Clover Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., and the Spartans will be designated as the "road team" for this contest.