Baseball Sweeps Plattsburgh on Opening Day

Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information) 

Patchogue, NY| The St. Joseph's College (L.I.) baseball team (2-0) won both ends of a doubleheader against the Plattsburgh St. Cardinals (0-2) on openeing day Saturday afternoon at Gregg Alfano Field. SJC dismissed the Cardinals by the final scores of 8-1 and 11-2, respectively.  

Game 1

The Golden Eagles got on the board in the third inning, when Anthony Bonilla ripped a three-run triple into deep center field. Bonilla would later score on a wild pitch to give SJC a 4-0 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth with a runner on first, Brendan Sullivan singled through the left side to plate Nick Girardi 5-0. With runners on first and second, Joseph Lynn doubled, scoring both Matthew Burnett and Tyler Crafa. Mike Griffo would later drive in the eighth run for St. Joseph's with a groundball to the third baseman.

Brandon Lubrano came in in relief for Josh Outsen in a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning. Adam Calabro drove in the only run for the visitors with a sacrifice fly to Bonilla. Lubrano would seal the deal for the Golden Eagles, who would earn their first win of the season with an 8-1 decision.

Nick Girardi earned his first victory of the season, tossing three hitless innings and striking out eight batters.

Game 2

St. Joseph's got off to another strong start in the bottom of the first, when Girardi drove in Bonilla for the first run of the game.

In the third inning, Girardi hit a double up the middle to drive in Bonilla to double the score 2-0.

The Cardinals answered back in the top of the fourth, when Alex Rodriguez doubled to plate T.J Montalbano. In the bottom of the fourth, Bob Keating doubled, and Joe Lynn and Joseph Calabrese crossed the plate to increase SJC's lead (4-1).

In the bottom of the fifth a two-run homer by Joseph Lynn, gave the Golden Eagles a 7-1 lead, but in the top of the sixth, Plattsburgh's Adam Calabro scored due to a fielder's choice by Montablano to cut the deficit to five (7-2).

The Blue and Gold continued with the hot bats in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four runs on five hits en route to its second win of the afternoon.

Ryan Aloise received his first win of the season, tossing four inning and striking out four batters. Steven Szobesky came in for relief and tossed three innings and fanned three batters.

The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday, March, 5 when they take on Ithaca at home. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 AM. Live stats are available here.