Patchogue, NY-The Mount Saint Mary College Knights baseball team took on Saint Joseph's University- Long Island today in their second Skyline Conference match up. The weather was quite cold ahead of the expected poor conditions this coming weekend. This game was moved to Friday to avoid the weather on Sunday. Game 1 ended with St. Joe's winning 6-0 and they also went on to win game 2, 13-3.
Game 1
This game was a tough match up for the Knights. Troubles connecting with the ball and getting it into play effectively was the main theme for 7 innings. The Mount managed 3 hits over the course of the game.
Adam Leone (2B),
Tyler Crocitto, and
Ryan Lutinski were the only members of the team to reach base.
Michael Di Tullio got the start on the Hill for MSMC. He pitched 5.0 innings and 9 H, 5R,4ER, 2BB, and 6 SO.
John Morehead come on in relief in the 6th inning (1H, 1R, and 1ER).
Game 2
Highlights for the Knights
Despite the loss, there were some bright spots for the Knights.
Chris Calvario (2 AB, 1 Run, 1 HBP) reached base leading off when he was hit by a pitch. This later led to Chris scoring the team's first fun of the game.
Adam Leone (2 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 1 RBI, 1 BB) had a run-scoring single in the first inning.
Ryan Lutinski (3 AB, 1 H, 2 RBI) chipped in with a pair of RBIs on a single in the first inning.
Pitching Woes for the Knights
Starting pitcher
Nick Torres (0-4, 2.1 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 BB) was tagged with the loss for the Knights. He allowed eight runs on nine hits in just over two innings of work. Reliever
Peter Pappalardo (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO) also struggled, giving up a run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.
After the Games
Head Coach
Trevor Purcell acknowledged the Knights' struggles at the plate after the game. "We struggled to get anything going at the plate tonight," he said. "You need to capitalize on opportunities when playing good teams like St. Joe's or they will make you pay. We need to regroup and get ready for Wednesday now."
Looking Ahead
The Knights will look to bounce back when they host New Jersey City University for a single game on Wednesday, March 27th, at 3:30 pm.