PATCHOGUE, N.Y. – Mount Saint Mary College senior Frank Snyder (Wallkill, N.Y.) pitched a complete game to lead the Knights (1-8, 1-1 Skyline) to a 2-1 victory over St. Joseph's College in game one of Saturday's Skyline Conference double-header. The Golden Eagles (4-6, 3-1 Skyline) responded with an 8-1 victory in game two to earn a split.

In game one, Mount Saint Mary did all of their damage in the second inning. Following a leadoff single by freshman Matt Prescia (Oakdale, N.Y.), sophomore Brian McNoble (Lynbrook, N.Y.) singled to right field, advancing Prescia to third. Senior Mike Umphlett (North Stonington, Conn.), mired in an early season slump, broke through with an RBI single to center field to plate the game's first run. Sophomore Dan McCrea (Hicksville, N.Y.) singled later in the inning, allowing McNoble to give the Knights a 2-0 advantage.

Snyder allowed St. Joseph's their only run of the game in the third. Senior Ryan Carroll (Patchogue, N.Y.) lifted a sacrifice fly to right field with one out and runners on second and third to make it 2-1. Snyder escaped further damage by inducing a ground ball to end the frame.

The Mount would put together a pair of hits in the fourth inning, but a double play ended all thoughts of adding to their lead. St. Joseph's junior pitcher Joe Benkert (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) would retire the next eleven hitters, and then escaped a mini-jam in the eighth by getting two consecutive batters with a runner on second.

Luckily for the Knights, Snyder was every bit as good. The Golden Eagles couldn't get anything going against the tough right-hander. The Mount's ace worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth and closed the door for the first victory of the season for the Knights.

Snyder allowed just five hits, three walks, and the one earned run. He struck out three. Benkert also went the distance, allowing eight hits and two runs (one earned), while striking out five.

Umphlett broke out of the slump in a big way and finished with three hits (3-for-4) and and RBI. McNoble had a pair of hits (2-for-4) and a run scored.

In game two, the Knights jumped out to an early lead as junior Louis Peisel (Brewster, N.Y.) came up with an RBI single. The Golden Eagles responded with one in the first and two more in the third and carried a 3-1 advantage into the late innings. St. Joseph's exploded for five runs in the sixth inning, putting away the seven-inning affair.

Sophomore pitcher Jason Dierkes (Mount Sinai, N.Y.) excellent, striking out nine and allowing just four hits. McCrea took the loss for the Knights. He gave up eight hits and three runs over five innings.

Carroll led the way for the Golden Eagles, pounding out three hits (3-for-4) and scoring three times. Peisel had a pair of hits for the Knights (2-for-3).

Up next for Mount Saint Mary is another Skyline Conference double-header. They'll take on NYU-Poly tomorrow at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, New York. Game one is scheduled for noon.