Top-Seeded Baseball Advances in Skyline Tournament with 4-2 Win Over #5 USMMA

When and Where:

May 12, 2023 - Patchogue, NY

Records:

St. Joseph's (L.I.), 28-9; USMMA, 25-15

Results:

Sophomore Jack Kelly tossed a complete game to guide the top-seeded St. Joseph's University-New York (L.I.) baseball team to a 4-2 win over fifth-seeded United States Merchant Marine Academy on day one of the Skyline Conference Championship tournament. 

Key Players:

• Sophomore James Maggio was 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBIs 

• Senior Ryan Decoursey went 1–for-3 with a walk and a run scored

• Junior Joe Sanguedolce finished 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI

• SJLI's Kelly improved to 6-1 allowing just two runs on five hits with four strikeouts

How it happened:

• The Golden Eagles got on the board early with three runs in the bottom of the first. With two runners in scoring position, the Mariners opted to intentionally walk Decoursey to load the bases. Two batters late, Sangueldolce drew a two-out walk forcing in Paul Gugliuzzo who was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning. Maggio followed up with a two-RBI double to center 

• The Mariners put up a run in both the top of the third and the fourth to cut the deficit to just one, 3-2

• Senior Phil Krpata drew a walk to start the top of the fifth and immediately took off for second breaking the SJLI single-season record with his 41st stolen base. After swiping third, Krpata came in on a ground ball to the right side providing some breathing room for the Golden Eagles, 4-2

• SJLI's Kelly allowed just one hit over the final four innings to secure the first-round win

Notes:

• USMMA's Kole Register was handed the loss allowing four runs on seven hits with one strikeout 

• This marks the 28th win of the year for the Golden Eagles which breaks the single-season win record set in the 2008 and 2018 seasons

Next up, the Golden Eagles advance and will face the winner of #2 SUNY Maritime and #6 Purchase College on Saturday, May 13 at 12:00 pm.