Throggs Neck, N.Y.- Looking to get back in the win column after a tough Skyline Conference loss to Purchase College on Saturday afternoon, the SUNY Old Westbury baseball team traveled to Throggs Neck, N.Y. for a conference doubleheader against Maritime College on Sunday. The Panthers suffered a sweep at the hands of the Privateers, falling 12-9 in Game 1 before dropping Game 2 by a final score of 18-4.
Game 1
Old Westbury struck first in the opening inning when Mike Petrucelly singled to left center, bringing home Brandon Hernandez for the game's first run.
Maritime answered quickly with a three-run home run from Alex Bardi in the bottom of the first to take a 3-1 lead. The Panthers cut into the deficit in the second when Sean Maddi homered to right center, making it a one-run game at 3-2.
After Maritime added another run in the bottom half of the second, Old Westbury responded with a big swing in the third. James Reilly launched a three-run home run to left center, scoring Mike Petrucelly and Mike Tiseo to give the Panthers a 5-4 lead.
The Privateers answered again in the bottom of the third with four runs to move back in front, 8-5. In the fourth, Brandon Hernandez doubled down the left field line to score JJ Palumbo and trim the deficit to 8-6.
Old Westbury continued to fight in the fifth when JT Torres was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in Chris Bartnik to make it 10-7. Maritime added two more runs in the sixth before the Panthers made one final push in the seventh. Maddi came through again with a two-run home run to right center, scoring Noah Tannenbaum and cutting the deficit to 12-9, but Old Westbury could get no closer.
As a team, the Panthers did two things well in the opener despite the loss. First, Old Westbury continued to battle offensively throughout the game, scoring nine runs on 10 hits. Second, the Panthers got production from timely extra-base hits, including home runs from Maddi and Reilly that kept Old Westbury within striking distance.
Maddi led the Panthers offensively, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, three RBI, one walk, and two home runs. Reilly added a three-run homer and finished with three RBI, while Tiseo went 3-for-4 with one run scored. Hernandez chipped in two hits and one RBI, and Petrucelly added a hit, a run scored, and an RBI.
Old Westbury's nine runs were scored by JJ Palumbo, Brandon Hernandez, Mike Tiseo, Mike Petrucelly, Chris Bartnik, James Reilly, Noah Tannenbaum, and Sean Maddi twice.
Game 2
Maritime got on the board early in the first inning with two runs before Old Westbury answered in the second. The Panthers plated three runs in the frame, beginning when Sean Maddi drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home Mike Petrucelly. JT Torres followed with a bases-loaded walk of his own to score David Garren, and JJ Palumbo grounded out to shortstop, allowing Nick Miller to score and give Old Westbury a 3-2 lead.
The Privateers responded with three runs in the bottom of the second and added four more in the third to take control of the game. Maritime continued to build its lead with two runs in the fourth and four more in the sixth.
Old Westbury got its final run of the day in the seventh when AJ Giel homered down the right field line.
As a team, the Panthers did two things well in Game 2. First, they capitalized on opportunities in the second inning to briefly take the lead with patient at-bats and productive run-scoring plays. Second, Old Westbury continued to compete throughout the game and showed resilience late, highlighted by Giel's solo home run in the seventh inning.
Giel provided one of the Panthers' top highlights in Game 2, finishing with a home run and one RBI. Maddi drove in one run and drew a walk, while Torres and Palumbo also each picked up an RBI. Brandon Hernandez recorded a hit in the contest, and David Garren, Nick Miller, Mike Petrucelly, and Giel each scored for Old Westbury.
What's Next?
The Panthers will return home on Tuesday, March 31 at 3:30 p.m. when they host Baruch College at the Jackie Robinson Athletic Complex in Old Westbury, N.Y
