FLUSHING, N.Y. – Wrapping up their East Coast Conference series Sunday afternoon, the Queens College baseball team hosted regionally ranked No. 8 St. Thomas Aquinas College at Hennekens Stadium.
The Knights recorded six hits on the day, led by multi-hit efforts from junior
Michael Vilardi (Massapequa, N.Y.) and junior catcher
Thomas McElwee (West Islip, N.Y.), who combined for four hits, one RBI, and one run scored.
Senior third baseman
Nick Piazza (Queens, N.Y.) and rookie center fielder
John Harkins (Babylon, N.Y.) each added a hit while combining to score two runs..
On the mound, rookie right-handed pitcher
Noah Kirwin (Manorville, N.Y.) delivered a standout performance in a no-decision, tossing a career-best 6.1 innings. Kirwin allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out five, keeping the Spartans off balance throughout his outing.
After five scoreless innings, Queens broke through in the bottom of the fifth. Vilardi led off with a single and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. With two outs, a misplayed ball in left field allowed him to cross the plate and give the Knights a 1-0 advantage.
Queens added to its lead in the sixth inning. Piazza singled to open the frame, and Harkins reached after being hit by a pitch. The pair executed a double steal to move into scoring position before senior right fielder
Vincent Mallon (Massapequa, N.Y.) lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, extending the lead to 2-0. Vilardi followed with an RBI double, pushing the advantage to 3-0.
St. Thomas Aquinas responded in the eighth inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues to plate five runs and take a 5-3 lead, which they held to secure the series victory.
Next Pitch
Queens returns to non-conference action on Tuesday, April 14, hosting East Stroudsburg University. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Hennekens Stadium.
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