Senior Eric Schneider went a combined 4-for-8 with three RBI in today's doubleheader split.

Skyhawks drop opener, 4-1, before rebounding with 6-2 victory in game two

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (March 19, 2016) – The Stonehill College baseball team, ranked ninth in this week's National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) East Region Poll, split today's non-conference doubleheader with #4 ranked Molloy College at Mitchell Field in its first contests back from Florida. Stonehill dropped the opener, 4-1, before rebounding to earn a 6-2 triumph in game two.

Molloy 4, Stonehill 1

 Both teams received strong contributions in the opener from their starters, as Stonehill righthander Michael Young (Mashpee, Massachusetts/Pope John Paul II) struck out a pair and gave up four runs (one earned) over five frames, while sophomore Anthony Catinella (Middle Village, New York) picked up the win for Molloy, lasting eight innings and striking out 12 Skyhawks.

Senior Chris Hoyt (Walpole, Massachusetts/Xaverian Brothers) keyed a Stonehill offense that recorded six hits with a 2-for-4 effort, including a double and stolen base. Classmate Eric Schneider (Camarillo, California/St. Bonaventure) also posted a multi-hit effort, finishing 2-for-4, while sophomore Alexander Joyce (Newton, Massachusetts/Newton North) and senior Brian Campbell (Franklin, Massachusetts/Mount Saint Charles) recorded a hit apiece.

Sophomore Angelo Navetta (Staten Island, New York) finished 2-for-3 with two RBI for Molloy, while junior Anthony Galanoudis (Farmingdale, New York) went 2-for-4 with a triple, a stolen base and a run. 

Molloy took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single by Navetta, scoring junior Anthony Alberghina (Staten Island, New York). The Lions added three more runs in the second inning, capitalizing on a two out error to extend the inning, scoring all three runs after the error.

Stonehill would threaten to score in the third inning, as Joyce doubled to left field followed by sophomore Isiah Nunez (Brooklyn, New York/Berkshire School) reaching base on a one out walk. Hoyt then reached base on a fielder's choice to move Joyce to third and then stole second base to have both runners in scoring position with two outs. Catinella worked out of the jam however, closing the inning out without allowing a run.

The Skyhawks avoided being shutout as they put a run on the board in the top of the ninth. Campbell led the inning off singling to center field and Schneider followed with a single of his own to advance Campbell to third. Junior Ben Monte (New Haven, Connecticut/Guilford) then hit into a double play, allowing Campbell to cross home plate to cap the scoring on the game at 4-1.

Stonehill 6, Molloy 2

Junior Jeremy Roberts pitched 5.2 innings, allowing two runs in game two's win.

Stonehill registered a five-run seventh inning to erase a one-run deficit and secure a 6-2 victory in game two. Schneider led the Skyhawls at the plate, finishing 2-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI and a run scored. Junior Steve Lee (Braintree, Massachusetts/Braintree) tallied a two RBI single and Monte went 1-for-3 with a double and a stolen base.

Stonehill scored the game's first run in the second, as Schneider hit a lead-off double and was moved to third base on a fielder's choice. The senior then came home when junior Eddie Bowler (Hingham, Massachusetts/Hingham) grounded out to the shortstop, giving the Skyhawks an early 1-0 advantage.

Molloy responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the third inning, as freshman Michael Wall (Massapequa Park, New York) hit his first homerun of his career to tie the game at one. The Lions took the lead in the sixth, when sophomore Elijah Leerdam (Jamaica, New York) hit a RBI double to left field to give the host a 2-1 lead and chase Roberts from the game. Hurley entered the game in relief and surrendered a hit, but worked out of the jam forcing a groundout to end the inning.

Stonehill took the lead for good in the top of the seventh, pouring in five runs to open up a 6-2 lead. Sophomore Justin Nicklas (Foxboro, Massachusetts/St. Sebastian's) started the rally with a one out walk, followed by another walk by Joe Klingensmith (Topsfield, Massachusetts/Masconomet). Hoyt then hit a single to load the bases and Lee came through with a two RBI single to take a 3-2 lead. After Campbell walked to reload the bases, Schneider smoked a double to left field, scoring all three base runners and giving the Skyhawks a 6-2 lead. Solomon came on in the bottom of the seventh and pitched a perfect inning; striking out one of the three batters he faced to seal the win for Stonehill.

Stonehill (11-6, 0-0 NE-10) will be off for a week, before opening conference play next Saturday with a home doubleheader against Franklin Pierce University. Molloy (11-6, 0-0 ECC) is set to open ECC play with a game at LIU Post on Thursday at 3 p.m.

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