Baseball Defeats John Jay, 11-2, in Home Opener

Patchogue, N.Y. - The St. Joseph's College baseball team (4-8) won its home opener, 11-2 over the Bloodhounds of John Jay (4-14) snapping the Eagles three-game losing streak.

John Jay started the game with a two-run homer, off the bat of first basemen Steven Caracena, but the Golden Eagles responded with a three-run bottom of the first. Centerfielder Brian Hannigan (West Babylon, N.Y/St. John the Baptist) singled to left to tie the game and freshman first basemen Thomas Rubinstein (Patchogue, N.Y/Patchogue-Medford) drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to right.

The Golden Eagles never looked back after gaining the lead as they would scored in the second, fourth, fifth, and eighth innings. They had a big fourth inning scoring five runs off a two run single by senior designated hitter Rich Pecoraro (Hampton Bays, N.Y/Hampton Bays). and a two run triple by Hannigan put the Eagles up 8-2. Pecoraro and Hannigan would finish the game with three RBI's apiece. Senior captain, second basemen Dennis Nover (Fresh Meadows, N.Y/St. Francis Prep) would add two stolen bases to increase his season total to 18 in just 12 games.

St. Joseph's starter, senior Jason Dierkes (Mt. Sinai, N.Y/Mt. Sinai) settled down after the first and finished with five innings pitched, allowing only two earned runs, and striking out five.

Sophomore Mike Bazoge (Medford, N.Y/Patchogue-Medford) had a solid performance pitching in relief with four scoreless innings and fanning five to earn the save.

Next up for St. Joseph's is a Skyline Conference double-header against Yeshiva (1-12, 1-5 Skyline) at Farmingdale St. at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The Golden Eagles defeated the Maccabees twice last season by scores of 15-2 and 15-1.