Farmingdale State - 7, Old Westbury - 6
- Ryan
Levine named tournament MVP -
Farmingdale, N.Y. - The Farmingdale State
baseball team scored six runs in the bottom of the ninth capped off
by a 3-run walk-off double from freshman designated hitter Ryan
Levine (West Babylon, N.Y.). The Rams defeated Old Westbury, 7-6,
to capture their fifth consecutive Skyline Conference Championship
and advance to the NCAA Regional Tournament to be held at
Farmingdale State College on May 16-20.
The Rams took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on an
RBI single to left by senior catcher Frank Scarlato
(Holbrook, N.Y.) scoring junior Terrence
Bohonan (Patchogue, N.Y.).
In the top of the fifth, Old Westbury took a 2-1 lead on a 2-run
single by junior center fielder Paul Valerio (Merrick, N.Y.). The
Panthers added four unearned runs in the seventh to increase the
lead to 6-1.
Senior third baseman Ryan McAllister (Miller Place, N.Y.) led off the bottom of the ninth with a triple to left center and scored on the Rams' next at-bat as junior left fielder David Zilnicki (Riverhead, N.Y.) doubled to right field. Farmingdale State cut the deficit to 6-3 as freshman Matthew Zsevc (Westbury, N.Y) had a pinch hit RBI single up the middle which scored Zilnicki. After a Thomas Rydzewski (Franklin Square, N.Y.) walk, freshman shortstop Anthony Alvino (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) hit an RBI double down the left field line to pull the Rams within two. In Farmingdale State next at-bat, Bohonan was hit by a pitch to load the bases. With one out, Levine hit a 3-run walk-off double down the right field line to give the Rams a 7-6 victory and clinch a berth in the NCAA Regional Tournament. Levine was named the Skyline Conference Tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Levine was 2-for-5 with 3 RBI, while Alvino was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Zilnicki batted 2-for-3 with an RBI and a scored a run and McAllister had two hits and a run scored for Farmingdale State. Junior pitcher Anthony Eilers (Bay Shore, N.Y.) earned the win after throwing 2.1 scoreless innings of relief.
Old Westbury was led by Valerio who was 2-for-5 with 2 RBI and a run scored, while senior right fielder Anthony Orsano (Williston Park, N.Y.) had two hits and an RBI.
The Rams next will host Kean in a non-conference game on Friday, May 11th at 1:00 p.m., before the Regional Tournament begins on May 16th.