Siena Downs Monmouth in First Round of MAAC Baseball Championship
MAAC Sports
FISHKILL, N.Y. – The Saints slugged their way to a 12-0 victory over Monmouth behind the arm of pitcher Matt Quintana in game two of the 2015 MAAC Baseball Championship. Siena advances in the winner’s bracket of the championship and will face first-seeded Rider at 7pm on Wednesday, May 20. Monmouth will face the No. 6 seed Marist, on Thursday, May 21 at 3:30 p.m.
Both Quintana and Monmouth starting pitcher Frank Trimarco began the game solid on the mound, allowing just one hit apiece through the first inning and a half. In the bottom of the second, the Saints bats came alive to score their first runs of the tournament. Catcher Dave Hoffman led off the inning with a long home run over the centerfield fence to give Siena a 1-0 lead. Three straight singles followed by designated hitter Joe Drpich and outfielders Alex Tuccio and Dan Lowndes to load the bases. Lead-off hitter Dan Swain came to the plate with one out and legged out a fielder’s choice to score Drpich from third to add another run to Siena’s leave. Swain swiped second base and infielder Jordan Bishop walked to again load the bases. Infielder Justin Esquerra came to the plate knocking a line drive to right field that was misplayed clearing the bases advancing him to third to give the Saints a 5-0 lead heading into the third inning.
Both pitchers again held their opponents off the scoreboard until the bottom of the fifth when the Saints were able to get after Trimarco once again. After an Esquerra single, Hoffman doubled to deep left with one out in the inning scoring the infielder for a 6-0 lead. Following a Drpich walk, Tuccio came to the plate and sent a single up the middle to score Hoffman from second to extend their lead to 7-0.
Quintana continued to hold Monmouth scoreless allowing just three hits during the game. Trimarco was relieved by relief pitchers Charlie Battis followed by Adam Yunginger. Yunginger held the Hawks off the scoreboard before being relieved by Jesse Fante. The Saints got to Fante right away reaching on an error and a hit by pitch before being moved over on a sac bunt by Bishop. Esquerra walked to load the bases for the Saints. Infielder Brian Fay singled through the right side scoring Tyler Martis and Swain. Hoffman would walk loading the bases for the second time in the inning before Drpich would reach on a fielder’s choice scoring Esquerra re-loading the bases on Tuccio came to bat and drew a walk scoring Fay to extend the Saints lead even further to 11-0. Outfielder Dan Lowndes’ sac fly to left scored Hoffman finishing Siena’s scoring for the afternoon.
Quintana headed out to the mound for the ninth inning allowing just three hits and one walk heading into the inning. He was able to close out the game sending the Hawks down in order completing nine shutout innings throwing just 96 pitches. Quintana struck out six facing just three batters over the minimum. Battery mate Hoffman was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle going three for four driving in two runs and scoring three.
Monmouth starter Trimarco threw five innings giving up seven runs, four earned, on eight hits walking two and adding four strikeouts. Outfielder Chris Gaetano was two for three in the contest.
Tickets for the MAAC Baseball Championship are on sale now at the Dutchess Stadium box office. Admission will be $20 per day for adults and $5 per day for kids 12 and under. All seating is general admission.
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