THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – Coming off of its first win of the 2013 season, the City College of New York (2-8) looked to sweep Sunday's doubleheader against Maritime College (3-9) at Reinhart Field. However, the Privateers rallied back in the final frame and defeated the Beavers, 4-3, on a two-run single as CCNY finished the weekend 1-2.
Emmanuel Nwokelo continued his hot hitting and finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Matt Sola-Baker went 2-for-3 with two singles. Playing small ball for most of game two, CCNY registered three sacrifice bunts and entered the bottom of the seventh inning leading 3-2. Phil Martino went 6.0 innings, striking out four and allowing four runs – three earned – and pitching into the final frame with a one-run lead. A call to the bullpen brought in Brian Collado, who was the opening day starter and was returning from injury.
A two-run single with two men in scoring position allowed the Privateers to put an end to the Beavers' winning ways as Maritime took game two, 4-3. Martino (0-2) was charged with the loss the two hitters he faced in the final inning came around to score while southpaw reliever Michael Staropoli (1-0) earned his first win on the year, striking out the lone hitter he faced. Right-hander Sal Castagnaro went 5.0 innings for Maritime, striking out five and no earned runs (one unearned).
The Privateers fought back from several errors as they picked up a season-high nine defensive miscues.
After three scoreless innings to begin game two, CCNY struck first after Nwokelo, Sola-Baker and Damien Hudson-Ruiz singled to load the bases before a balk allowed Nwokelo to score and give the Beavers a 1-0 lead.
Maritime continued to put zeros up on the scoreboard as Martino mixed his arsenal of pitches but a two-run fifth inning gave the Privateers a 2-1 lead.
Three errors in the top of the sixth inning allowed the Beavers to tie the game at 2-2. Alberto Franco led off the frame with a double and advanced to third base on a passed ball. With Sola-Baker up, Steve Macias called a squeeze play and it was successful as Yoribaldis Olivo, who pinch ran for Franco, came around to score and tie the game.
A two-out rally in the seventh, led by Nwokelo's single gave CCNY a one-run lead heading into the final frame. Olivo reached on an error and Sola-Baker singled to load the bases for Hudson-Ruiz. The patient shortstop worked the count and picked up a walk to bring in Nwokelo and give City College a 3-2 lead.
Martino came out of the dugout looking for his first complete game as a Beaver but put on the first two baserunners he faced on a walk and a throwing error. This brought Macias out and the second-year head coach brought in Collado who was looking for his first save as a Beaver. A wild pitch put both runners in scoring position and Collado got out of one jam, forcing a Maritime hitter to pop up to the shortstop. After intentionally walking the cleanup hitter to load the bases, first baseman Bruce Tyler ripped a two-run single to end the game.
CCNY hosts St. Joseph's Brooklyn on Tuesday, March 19 at Randall's Island Field 53.
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