May 11, 2024

Immaculata wins third straight Atlantic East title

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WINCHESTER, Va.- The Immaculata University baseball team defeated Cabrini University 8-6 to win their third consecutive Atlantic East Conference Championship this afternoon at Kevin Anderson Field at Bridgeforth Stadium in Winchester, Va. Senior shortstop Steven Theisen went 4-for-5 with 3 RBIs to lead the Mighty Macs. Matthew Long earned the win in relief throwing 4.1 scoreless innings. With the win the Mighty Macs earn the Atlantic East Conference automatic berth to the NCAA tournament.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Cabrini opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, when Colton Narciso hit a three-run home run to left field.

Immaculata responded in the bottom of the first when Nick Turnage singled up the middle to score Joey Sacco for the Mighty Macs first run. Steven Theisen followed with an RBI single to right center to score Josh Crowding to make the score 3-2.

In the bottom of the third, Steven Theisen hit his second RBI single of the game up the middle to score Josh Crowding to tie the score at 3-3. Ryan Struble followed with an RBI single up the middle to score Shawn Haut to give the Mighty Macs the lead. Hunter Weitzel then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Nick Turnage. Sal Serici followed with a bunt single to score Steven Theisen to put Immaculata ahead 6-3.

Cabrini responded in the top of the fourth as Collin Strickland hit a three-run home run to left field to tie the game at 6-6.

Cabrini threatened in the top of the fifth inning as Ryan Dipper singled with two outs. Immaculata went to the bull pen to bring in Matthew Long, who closed out the inning after allowing an initial single.

Immaculata retook the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth inning when Steven Theisen hit is third RBI single of the game to left field to score Josh Crowding to put Immaculata ahead 7-6.

Immaculata added on a run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Joey Wright hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Hunter Weitzel to increase the Immaculata lead to 8-6.
Matthew Long worked his way out of danger in the seventh, then set the Cavaliers down in order in the eighth, and ninth innings to earn the win.

Long induced Jaden Dickerson to hit a fly ball to right center that Hunter Weitzel made the catch to close out the Championship for the Mighty Macs.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

  • Steven Theisen led the Mighty Macs offense today going 4-for-5 with three RBIs. Throughout the tournament, Theisen was 8-for-15 (.533) with five runs scored, a home run, and eight RBI and was named Atlantic East Conference Tournament MVP.
  • Nick Turnage was 3-for-4 on the day with one run scored, and an RBI.
  • Josh Crowding was 3-for-4, with three runs scored.
  • Joey Sacco was 2-for-4 with a run scored at the plate and made multiple important plays in the field throughout the tournament for the Mighty Macs.
  • Matthew Long was outstanding in relief today, going 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing only four hits, and struck out two while earning the win for Immaculata. Long pitched in all three games in the tournament throwing 6.2 innings allowing one earned run and had three strikeouts.
  • Alex LePage worked 4.2 innings for Immaculata allowing four hits, six runs, and had two strikeouts.
  • Joey Wright had a strong tournament for Immaculata going 8-for-14 (.571) with nine runs scored, three home runs, and 10 RBIs.

UP NEXT

The Immaculata University baseball team will learn their NCAA Tournament destination on Monday, May 13th when the NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament Selection airs at 12:00 p.m. The tournament is scheduled to begin on Friday, May 17th.