Box Score Skyline Conference Championship Central l Bracket

FARMINGDALE, NY (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) –  No. 2 SUNY College at Old Westbury baseball team defeated and eliminated No. 3 St. Joseph's-L.I. for the second time in as many days with a 15-4 topping to advance to their third straight Skyline Conference Championship round.  Old Westbury (28-10) will need to defeat top-seeded Farmingdale State Rams (27-9) twice tomorrow in the double-elimination tournament starting at 11 a.m. in Farmingdale, New York.  Old Westbury's 28 wins are a program-best, erasing the previous mark set in the 27-win 2009 season.    

Anthony Orsano slugged a two-run double in the first to break the scoring ice for Old Westbury.  Two batters later, Brian Walsh doubled Old Westbury's advantage, clubbing a two-run homer over the right field fence, his second of the season.  St. Joseph's-L.I. cut the deficit in half with two runs in the bottom of the first off Rich Pecoraro's doubled to drive in Anthony Delury and two batters later, Prateek Thaman singled home Pecoraro.  Old Westbury flexed their offensive muscles in the third, registering five runs off five hits to jump ahead 9-2.  Blake Barbeito singled in Christopher DeGennaro, followed by Paul Valerio's two-run single, Brian Reutter's RBI double and a run scoring single by Orsano.   Barbeito led off the fifth with a double and scored during Valerio's at bat off a run scoring single.  In the sixth, Old Westbury scored two as DeGennaro crossed the plate off a wild pitch and four batters later, Benjamin Farias advanced home as Barbeito was thrown out trying to steal second.  St. Joseph's-L.I. scored two in the bottom of the sixth before Old Westbury's scoring continued in the seventh with three more Panther runs.  Orsano walked to lead off the seventh and two batters later scored off pitcher Joe Reinhardt error.  DeGennaro followed with a run scoring triple and Steve Mare closed out the scoring books with an infield grounder to score DeGennaro.  

Ryan Bresnahan (6-2) pitched Old Westbury into Championship Sunday with a career-best eight strikeout complete game performance, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks.  Mike Bazoge (3-4) was dealt the loss that eliminated the Golden Eagles, recording just three outs, surrendering four runs on five hits and two walks.  Four Golden Eagle relievers combined for eight innings of work, tallying 11 runs on 11 hits and two walks with five strikeouts. 

Paul Valerio sparked Old Westbury's offense with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate to go with three RBI's, two runs scored and three stolen bases.  Anthony Orsano (3-4, 3 RBI, 2 R), Christopher DeGennaro (3-6, 3 R, RBI, 2 SB) and Blake Barbeito (3-5, 2 R, RBI) followed with three hits apiece.  Steve Mare collected a pair of singles and drove in one run.  Rich Pecoraro's RBI double led the Golden Eagles offensively. 

Old Westbury held the advantage in hits (20-6), stolen bases (5-1) and extra base hits (6-3) while hitting 9-for-17 with runners in scoring position. 

SKYLINE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS: The Panthers return to the diamond for Skyline Conference Championship Sunday at 11 a.m. in Farmingdale, New York against four-time defending champions, No. 1 Farmingdale State.  Panthers will need to defeat the Rams twice to claim the 2012 Skyline Conference Championship in the double-elimination tournament.     

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