Yaphank, N.Y. — Following a 15-7 win over WestConn to close out their Myrtle Beach Spring Games trip, the SUNY Old Westbury baseball team returned home Saturday afternoon to open Skyline Conference play with a doubleheader against Mount Saint Mary College at Lasorda Legacy Park. The Panthers took game one, 3-1, before falling in game two, 15-2, to split the double header.
With the split, Old Westbury moved to 5-3 overall and 1-1 in Skyline action.
GAME ONE: Old Westbury 3, Mount Saint Mary 1
Old Westbury wasted no time getting on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Brandon Hernandez grounded out to second base, allowing Sean Maddi to score and giving the Panthers an early 1-0 lead.
The game settled into a pitching duel over the next two innings, as both sides were held scoreless in the second and third. Mount Saint Mary finally broke through in the top of the fourth on a solo home run by Kaleb Morgan to tie the game at 1-1.
The Panthers answered quickly in the bottom half of the inning. Mike Tiseo delivered the biggest hit of the game with a two-run home run to left field, bringing home Mike Petruccelly and putting Old Westbury back in front, 3-1. That would prove to be enough offense for the Panthers, as they held the Knights scoreless over the final three innings to secure the win.
Old Westbury made the most of its opportunities in the opener, scoring three runs on three hits while drawing four walks. The Panthers also played clean defense with no errors and turned a double play in the field.
Tiseo led the offense by going 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and one run scored. Maddi finished 1-for-2 with a run scored and a stolen base, while Petruccelly went 1-for-2 with a walk and one run scored. Hernandez added an RBI, and Dean Pasolini contributed a stolen base.
On the mound, Vinny Giambona earned the win after limiting Mount Saint Mary to just one run. Dennis Lynch picked up the save as Old Westbury closed out the 3-1 victory.
GAME TWO: Mount Saint Mary 15, Old Westbury 2
Mount Saint Mary answered in a big way in game two, pulling away for a 15-2 victory over the Panthers.
The Knights struck first with two runs in the second inning before adding three more in the third to build a 5-0 lead. Old Westbury got on the board in the fourth when Donny Whalen reached on a fielder's choice that brought home Brandon Hernandez, cutting the deficit to 5-1.
Mount Saint Mary added three more runs in the fifth inning and then broke the game open with a seven-run seventh. The Panthers managed one final run in the bottom half of the inning when AJ Giel grounded out to first base, allowing Noah Tannenbaum to score, but the comeback effort fell short.
Despite the loss, Old Westbury showed patience at the plate by drawing five walks and got contributions from several players offensively. The Panthers also turned in a clean defensive effort with no errors in the contest.
Brandon Hernandez, Mike Tiseo, Nick Miller and Angelo Velez each recorded a hit for Old Westbury. AJ Giel and Donny Whalen each drove in a run, while Hernandez and Noah Tannenbaum scored the Panthers' two runs. Mike Petruccelly and Tiseo each drew a walk, and Nick Mace also reached base with a walk in the loss.
What's Next?
Old Westbury will now turn its attention to a road matchup against New Jersey City University on March 24 in Jersey City, N.J. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00PM
