Falcons Open 2014 with 9-4 win over New Paltz

Falcons Open 2014 with 9-4 win over New Paltz

In its 2014 season opener, the Albertus Magnus baseball team used a seven-run fourth inning en route to a 9-4 win over New Paltz on Sunday night.  Anthony Pellegrino (Branford, Conn.) led the way for the Falcons with two hits and two RBI, while Mike Barillaro (Meriden, Conn.) earned the win on the hill.

Sunday's victory marks the Falcons' first season-opening win in three years.

After three scoreless innings, New Paltz struck first with two runs in the top of the fourth inning.  Stanley DeLaCruz led off the frame with a single before advancing to second on a passed ball. After a walk, a stolen base, and an error scored the Hawks' first run, a Mike Sparacino single plated Shaun Hansen from third to give New Paltz a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, the Falcons answered and more.  The seven-run fourth inning proved to be the game changer led by four hits and one Hawk error.

Jordan Kubilus (Cheshire, Conn.) walked to open the frame before moving to second on a Sage Leonard (North Branford, Conn.) single. Both runners' advanced on a deep fly out by Jack Pritchard (Orange, Conn.) before a balk plated the Falcons' first run of the ballgame.

After Mike Saia (Bridgeport, Conn.) walked, New Paltz took out starting pitcher Brian Solomon as Kevin Frank took over on the hill. Following the pitching change, Nick Sedia (Bronx, N.Y.) reached on an error and advanced to second as both Leonard and Saia scored to tie the game at two.

Patrick Dornfried (Berlin, Conn.) followed with an RBI single before Pellegrino doubled in two more runs for the Falcons.  After another Hawks' pitching change, Kubilus doubled to score one more Falcon before the inning ended.

The Falcons added another run in the fifth thanks to an RBI single by Sedia.

New Paltz added two runs in the seventh before the Falcons took one back in the bottom of the frame.  Leonard led off the inning with a walk before advancing to second on a Vinny Purgatore (Hamden, Conn.) walk.  With two outs, Sedia reached on an error as Leonard was able to score from second.

Barillaro went eight strong innings in his first win of the season.  He allowed nine hits and four earned runs, while also striking out four batters.  Sedia moved from second to the mound in the ninth and retired all three batters that he faced.

Solomon took the loss to even his record to 1-1.  He went 3.2 innings and gave up three runs and two hits, while walking four batters.