Box Score Skyline Conference Championship Central l Bracket l Gameday Preview

FARMINGDALE, NY (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) –  No. 2 SUNY College at Old Westbury baseball team fell victim to a six-run ninth inning rally as the top-seeded Farmingdale State Rams (28-9) defeated the Panthers, 7-6, to earn their fifth straight Skyline Conference Championship.  Old Westbury (28-11) appeared in their third straight Skyline Conference Championship round and will now await word on a possible at-large bid for the 2012 NCAA Regionals (May 16-20), hosted by Farmingdale State College.  

Farmingdale State opened the scoring in the first when Frank Scarlato singled home Anthony Alvino to give the Rams an early 1-0 lead.  Old Westbury responded in the fifth with a two-out rally sparked by Steve Mare's walk.  Two batters later and a pitching change for Farmingdale State, Paul Valerio stroked a two-run single to put Old Westbury ahead 2-1. 

Old Westbury took a 6-1 advantage in the seventh, striking up four unearned runs on a two-out rally.  Christopher DeGennaro scored as Blake Barbeito reached on an error by shortstop Alvino.  Two batters later left fielder David Zilnicki dropped a liner that allowed Barbeito and Valerio to score.  Anthony Orsano followed with a run scoring single to plate home Brian Reutter. 

Old Westbury starter Frank DiMaria continued his brilliance on the mound, escaping out a bases loaded jam in the seventh to protect the Panther lead, until Farmingdale State mounted their comeback in the ninth.  The Rams led off the ninth with a triple by Ryan McAllister, Zilnicki's double and Matthew Zsevc's single to make it a 6-3 game, ending DiMaria's outing.  Old Westbury reliever J.C. Costa walked his first batter and allowed a double by Alivno that scored Zsevc to cut the deficit down to two runs.  Stephen Chapter was called on to stop the Rams comeback, but he plunked his first batter and two batters later, Ryan Levine delivered a three-run double down the right field line to complete the come-from-behind victory. 

Paul Valerio (2-5, 2 RBI, R) led the Panthers with a team-high two runs, but was sat down on strikes three times.  Anthony Orsano (2-5, RBI) and Christopher DeGennaro (2-4, R, SB) followed with multiple hits.  Farmingdale State registered four Rams with multi-hit performances, led by Ryan Levine, who hit 2-for-5 with three RBI's.  Anthony Alvino (2-5, RBI, 2 R), Ryan McAllister (2-4, R) and David Zilnicki (2-3, RBI, R) all contributed a pair of hits in the victory. 

Frank DiMaria struck out three batters and did not factor in the decision, allowing four runs in eight solid innings off 10 hits and two walks.  Stephen Chapter faced three batters and took Old Westbury's loss, falling to 3-3 on the season.  Farmingdale State starter Mike Dolce worked 4.2 innings before four relievers finished off the game as Anthony Eilers (3-0) picked up the victory.  Farmingdale State relievers combined to work 4.1 innings, allowing four unearned runs on five hits and one walk. 

Farmingdale State held the advantage in hits (12-7) and extra base hits (3-0) while Old Westbury grabbed a 3-1 edge in stolen bases.  Old Westbury stranded seven Panthers on base as nine Rams were left on base. 

UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY MARINERS UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS ON SENIOR DAY & PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS GAME: The Panthers return to the diamond for a non-conference battle against the visiting United States Merchant Marine Academy Mariners on Tuesday (May 1) at 7 p.m. on Senior Day and Prostate Cancer Awareness Game from the Jackie Robinson Athletic Complex. 

Prior to first pitch, seniors Blake Barbeito, Ryan Bresnahan, J.C. Costa, Christopher DeGennaro, Anthony Orsano, Brian Reutter, Chris Sanabria, David Stern and Michael Weingartner will be honored with a Senior Day Ceremony for their dediciation to Old Westbury Athletics. 

Panthers and Mariners players and coaching staff will be sporting baby blue wrist bands for the game, to raise public awareness for one of the most important men's health issues today. Fans are encouraged to join the Panthers and Mariners at the conclusion of the game for a Prostate Cancer Awareness Walk around the bases of the Jackie Robinson Athletic Complex. The goal is to take six trips around the bases. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, one in six American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer within his lifetime, making it the most common non-skin cancer in America. The number of new prostate cancer cases has more than tripled in the past decade with more than 192,000 men diagnosed each year.  Promotional blue ribbons, rubber wrist bands, temporary tattoos and information will be supplied to the first 300 fans on behalf of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

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