OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. - Behind a stellar pitching performance from sophomore Dan McCrea (Hicksville, N.Y.) in game two and an incredible two-out, ninth-inning rally in game one, the Mount Saint Mary College baseball team earned a pair of crucial victories over SUNY College at Old Westbury on Sunday. The Knights (5-16, 5-5 Skyline) won game one, 11-9, and game two, 8-2.
McCrea went the distance in game two, allowing just seven hits and two earned runs in seven innings. He struck out two to earn his second victory of the season.
The Knights seized control early with a pair of runs in the top of the first. With one out, freshman Michael Matuk (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) singled through the left side and then stole second. Matuk scored as junior Louis Peisel (Brewster, N.Y.) singled back through the box, and Peisel moved up to second on the throw to the plate. Freshman Matt Prescia (Oakdale, N.Y.) singled down the left field line to drive home Peisel, giving the Knights a 2-0 advantage.
Sparked by a two-run single by sophomore John Conroy (Middletown, N.Y.) and helped by an Old Westbury error, the Mount tacked on four more runs in the third inning. Prescia added another run-scoring single.
With another RBI-single in the seventh inning, Prescia finished game two 3-for-4 with three runs batted in and a run scored. Matuk was 3-for-4 with three runs scored, while Conroy went 2-for-3 with two runs batted in and a run scored.
In game one, the Knights trailed 9-6 headed to the top of the ninth inning. With two outs, the next four Knights would reach base and the first run of the inning crossed as freshman Thomas McNoble (Breezy Point, N.Y.) drew a bases-loaded walk. Senior Mike Umphlett (North Stonington, Conn.) reached on an error by the Old Westbury shortstop, allowing the tying runs to score from second and third and McNoble to move to third. The next batter, Matuk, laced a single up the middle, allowing McNoble and Umphlett to score and stake the Knights to an 11-9 lead.
Sophomore Matthew Senzamici (West Babylon, N.Y.) came on in the bottom of the ninth, only to walk the first batter of the inning. He induced a groundball double play from the next batter, however, putting the Knights one out away from a come-from-behind victory. The next batter singled, but Senzamici struck out the final hitter of the game to preserve the victory. The sophomore was credited with a save.
Freshman Marc Soevyn (Elmont, N.Y.) worked two and a third innings to collect the victory for the Knights. After coming on in relief during the sixth inning, Soevyn allowed just two hits and struck out a pair to keep the Mount in the game.
At the plate, Matuk finished 1-for-3 with three runs batted in and a run scored. Presica, sophomore Max Tecce (Glen Cove, N.Y.), and senior Rich DeRosa (Valley Stream, N.Y.) each finished with a pair of hits for the Knights.
With two much-needed wins in their pocket, Mount Saint Mary will travel to Albertus Magnus College for a non-conference game tomorrow. The contest is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start.