FLUSHING, N.Y. – Opening the week in non-conference play, the Queens College baseball team hosted the Caldwell University Cougars at Hennekens Stadium Thursday afternoon.
The Knights totaled nine hits on the day, led by senior right fielder
Vincent Mallon (Massapequa, N.Y.), who delivered a multi-home run performance with a team-high three RBI and two runs scored. Senior third baseman
Nick Piazza (Queens, N.Y.) added a multi-hit effort, while rookie center fielder
John Harkins (Babylon, N.Y.), sophomore second baseman
Tommy Pasqua (Williston Park, N.Y.), junior
Jordan Babbo (Merrick, N.Y.), senior first baseman
Connor Waiting (Seaford, N.Y.), and sophomore left fielder
Henry Tolentino (Bronx, N.Y.) combined for five hits, one RBI, and three runs scored.
On the mound, sophomore right-hander
Dominick Persichilli (Centereach, N.Y.) made his first career start and worked out of early trouble, highlighted by a caught stealing to end the top of the first inning.
Queens struck first in the bottom half of the frame, as Mallon launched his fifth home run of the season with a solo shot to left field for a 1-0 lead.
Caldwell answered in the top of the second to even the score at 1-1, but the Knights quickly responded. Waiting and Piazza reached with singles and a walk to junior catcher
Niko Sorice (Rocky Point, N.Y.) loaded the bases. Rookie
Joshua Angely (Upland, CA) brought home Waiting with a sacrifice fly to left center, giving Queens a 2-1 advantage.
The Cougars, however, seized control in the top of the third, plating four runs to take a 5-2 lead.
Junior right-hander
Reynaldo Angeles (Corona, N.Y.) made his season debut in the fourth and faced immediate pressure with two runners on base. After a sacrifice bunt moved both into scoring position, Angely and Sorice teamed up to cut down a double steal attempt, limiting further damage.
Caldwell extended its lead in the sixth inning, scoring five runs on five hits to make it 10-2.
Queens attempted to rally late, beginning in the seventh when Pasqua drew a leadoff walk. Mallon followed with his second home run of the game, his sixth of the season to cut the deficit to 10-4.
In the final inning, Harkins led off with his second triple of the year, driving a ball down the right field line. Pasqua later added an RBI groundout to bring Queens within five, but it would be as close as the Knights would get, falling 10-5.
Next Pitch
Queens returns to East Coast Conference play on Friday, April 10, hosting St. Thomas Aquinas College Spartans at Hennekens Stadium. The Knights will resume their suspended game from March 22 before playing a nine-inning contest. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
For the latest news on Queens College Athletics, follow the Knights at queensknights.com or via social media on Facebook (Queens College Athletics), X (Formerly Twitter) (@QCKnights), Queens College Baseball (@QC_Baseball), and Instagram (qcknightsny), QC Baseball (qcbaseball)
