When and Where:

April 25, 2025 - Kings Point, NY

Records:

St. Joseph's (L.I.), 18-13; New Jersey City, 10-23-1

Results:

The St. Joseph's University, New York (L.I.) baseball team earned a pair of Skyline Conference wins at the United States Merchant Marine Academy on Friday evening. The Golden Eagles exploded for 18 hits in a 15-4 win in game one before holding on for 2-0 victory in game two.

Game one: SJLI 15; USMMA 4

Key Players:

• Senior James Maggio went 3-for-5 with a home run, four RBI, and three runs

• Senior Mike DiFilippo went 3-for-5 with three RBI and a run

• Sophomore Joe Thatcher was 3-for-5 with a triple and two runs

• Junior Dom Crema was 2-for-4 with two doubles, three runs, and two RBI

• Junior Joe Hackal was 2-for-3 with two walks, two runs, and two RBI

• Starter Jack Kelly improved to 4-0 with Josh Dannanberg providing two innings of scoreless relief

How it happened:

• The Golden Eagles started the game with three straight singles. The Mariners managed to get two outs, but Marco Gullo drew a walk, forcing in the game's first run. Crema followed with a two-RBI double to left before Maggio blasted a three-run shot over the left field fence, 6-0

• After SJLI added a run in the second, 7-0, USMMA got on the board with an RBI single by Danny Heck in the bottom of the fourth

• Hackal doubled in a pair of runs in the top of the fifth with DiFilippo following him up with two RBIs of his own in a base hit in the left center gap, 10-1

• Heck struck again in the bottom half of the fifth, this time with a two-RBI hit to center. Luke Kruer quickly followed with an RBI single up the middle, 10-4

• For the second time in the game, the Golden Eagles batted around in the top of the sixth, drawing five walks with an RBI single by Maggio and a SAC fly from Lynch, producing five runs for a 15-4 advantage

• After loading the bases to start the bottom of the sixth, Dannenberg got Landon Troud to line out to short before Tyler Chiappetti grounded into a double play to end the inning. The reliever retired the Mariners in order in the seventh, securing the 15-4 win

Game two: SJLI 2; USMMA 0

Key Players:

• Senior John Lynch was 2-for-4 with a double

• Crema finished with a hit and a run scored

• Hackal knocked in both runs

• Starter Charles Aurandt moved to 3-0 on the season, allowing just four hits while striking out seven in 7.1 innings

• Senior closer Dante Morabito picked up his fourth save of the season, allowing just one hit with two K's in 1.2 innings of relief

How it happened:

• Aurandt and USMMA's starter Cody White were locked in a pitcher's duel, putting zeros on the board through the first four innings

• St. Joseph's finally broke up the shutout with a run in the top of the fifth. Crema started the inning with a single to left and advanced all the way to third when a pick off attempt went wild with one out. Hackal sent a fly ball to center deep enough for Crema to score

• USMMA threatened in the bottom of the eighth when R Olivares started the inning with a double and B Vasquez was hit by a pitch, putting runners on the corners with one out. Morabito entered the game and got Jack Millen to pop up to Crema at second before Troutt flew out to center, preserving the 1-0 lead

• Hackal provided a little insurance in the top of the ninth with his second sac fly of the game, 2-0, before Morabito stranded a pair of runners in the bottom of the ninth and closed the game

Next up, the Golden Eagles continue Skyline Conference play when they host SUNY Maritime on Sunday, April 27th. Game one is slated to start at 11:00 am.