POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Looking to bounce back after a heartbreaking 9-8 loss to New Jersey City University on Tuesday afternoon, the SUNY Old Westbury baseball team returned to action on Wednesday for a non-conference road matchup against Vassar College. The Panthers came out aggressive and grabbed an early lead, but the Brewers answered with a series of big innings as Old Westbury fell by a final score of 22-8.
The Panthers wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first inning. Mike Tiseo delivered a two-run double to left center to score Brandon Hernandez and JT Torres, giving Old Westbury a 2-0 lead. Later in the frame, Chris Bartnik added an RBI single to left field to bring home Tiseo and extend the Panthers' advantage to 3-0.
Old Westbury added another run in the second inning when Torres grounded out to second base, allowing Sean Maddi to score and make it 4-1.
After Vassar answered with five runs in the second inning to take its first lead of the afternoon, the Panthers responded again in the top of the third. Bartnik came through with a two-run home run to left field, scoring Mike Petrucelly and tying the game at 6-6.
Vassar, however, regained control with a five-run third inning and continued to add on the rest of the way.
Despite the final score, the Panthers did two things well as a team. First, Old Westbury came out of the gate aggressively, plating three runs in the first inning and putting immediate pressure on Vassar. Second, the Panthers continued to compete offensively throughout the game, finishing with nine hits and drawing seven walks while also responding to adversity with a game-tying home run in the third inning.
Chris Bartnik led the way for Old Westbury offensively, finishing 2-for-2 with two runs scored, three RBI, and two walks. Sean Maddi also had a strong afternoon, going 2-for-3 with one run scored, two RBI, and a walk. JT Torres finished with one hit, one run scored, one RBI, and two walks, while Mike Tiseo added a hit, a run scored, and two RBI. JJ Palumbo chipped in two hits, and Brandon Hernandez also scored and recorded a hit in the contest.
Old Westbury's eight runs were scored by JT Torres, Brandon Hernandez, Mike Tiseo, Mike Petrucelly, Chris Bartnik (2), Sean Erdmann, and Sean Maddi.
What's Next?
The Panthers will now regroup and return to Skyline Conference play on Saturday, March 28 for a road doubleheader against Purchase College in Purchase, N.Y. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., with game two set to begin at 1:30 p.m.
