FLUSHING, N.Y. – Concluding their four-game series Saturday afternoon, the Queens College baseball team hosted the D'Youville University Saints in a non-conference doubleheader.
The Knights erupted offensively in game one, piling up 16 hits highlighted by a seven-run third inning and a five-run sixth to cruise to a 14-1 victory. In the nightcap, Queens rallied late, tying the game in the fifth before securing a 3-2 walk-off win in extra innings to complete the sweep.
Game One Recap – Queens 14, D'Youville 1
Senior right fielder
Vincent Mallon (Massapequa, N.Y.) jumpstarted the offense with a two-run home run to left field, giving Queens an early 2-0 lead.
The Saints capitalized on a throwing error in the top of the third to cut into the deficit, but the Knights responded emphatically in the bottom half of the inning. Queens sent 13 batters to the plate, recording seven hits and scoring seven runs to take control with a 9-1 advantage.
The Knights added to their lead in the sixth, drawing six walks and combining it with a hit to plate five runs and extend the margin to 14-1.
On the mound, sophomore righty
Severino Napolitano Jr. (Brooklyn, N.Y.) delivered three solid innings before handing the ball to junior lefty
Jordan Babbo (Merrick, N.Y.) in the fourth. Babbo was dominant in relief, allowing just two hits over the final four innings while striking out four to earn his first win of the season.
Game Two Recap – Queens 3, D'Youville 2
The nightcap proved to be a tightly contested battle, with the Saints striking first in the opening inning and extending their lead to 2-0 in the fourth.
Rookie righty
Noah Kirwin (Manorville, N.Y.) made his first collegiate start, tossing 3.2 innings while allowing three hits and two earned runs, striking out five. Sophomore righty
Matt Rosenberg (North Massapequa, N.Y.) entered in relief and helped keep Queens within striking distance.
The Knights broke through in the bottom of the fourth. Mallon led off with a single and later came around to score on an RBI double to right-center by senior third baseman
Nick Piazza (Queens, N.Y.), cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Queens evened the score in the fifth when rookie fielder
John Harkins (Babylon, N.Y.) singled and advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt. Rookie shortstop
Joshua Angely (Upland, CA) brought him home with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 2-2.
Both teams traded scoreless frames down the stretch, with Queens turning key double plays in the sixth and seventh innings to keep the game tied.
In the top of the ninth, rookie righty
Dylan Vikara (Westbury, N.Y.) worked out of a jam, stranding two runners to preserve the deadlock.
The Knights capitalized in their final at-bat. Piazza led off with a double, and after the Saints recorded the first out, sophomore second baseman
Tommy Pasqua (Williston Park, N.Y.) put the ball in play. Piazza avoided the tag at third, and a throwing error allowed him to score the game-winning run, sealing a 3-2 walk-off victory and the doubleheader sweep.
Next Pitch
The Knights continue their homestand on Thursday, April 9, when they welcome Caldwell University for a non-conference matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
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