Queens, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team closed out its 2023 Regular Season schedule, dropping a doubleheader to Queens College, 5-4 and 5-0, on Saturday at Hennekens Stadium.

STAC slips to 23-25 overall and 16-8 in the ECC, but locks up the number two seed in the upcoming East Coast Conference Baseball Tournament. Meanwhile, Queens improves to 29-16 and 13-9, securing the third seed in the postseason dance.

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE:

 5th - Nick O'Connor homered to right field, RBI. 2-0 STAC

  5th - C.J. Cumbo homered to left field, RBI. 3-0 STAC

  6th - Andrew Ramirez reached on a fielder's choice, RBI; Matt Filip out at second ss to 2b; Juan Da La Rosa advanced to third; Anthony Fontana scored. 3-1 STAC

  6th - Teovaldo Estevez doubled down the lf line, 2 RBI; Andrew Ramirez scored; Juan Da La Rosa scored. Game Tied 3-3

  8th - Billy Minett grounded out to p, SAC, bunt, RBI; Christopher Conti advanced to second; Gregory DiGiaro scored. 4-3 STAC

Queens

  9th - Jayson Rodopoulos homered to right field, RBI. Game Tied 4-4

Queens

  9th - Juan Da La Rosa singled to right field, RBI; Anthony Fontana advanced to second; Jorsixt Jimenez advanced to third; Marc Cisco scored. 5-4 Queens

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO:

Queens

  1st - Jorsixt Jimenez grounded out to 2b, RBI; Marc Cisco advanced to third; Jayson Rodopoulos scored, unearned. 1-0 Queens

Queens

  2nd - Jayson Rodopoulos flied out to rf, sacrifice fly, RBI; Andrew Ramirez advanced to third; Matt Filip scored. 2-0 Queens

  4th - Marc Cisco homered to left center, 2 RBI; Nick Barreiros scored. 4-0 Queens

Queens

  5th - Matt Filip singled up the middle, RBI; Joey Patane scored, unearned. 5-0 Queens

STAC PERFORMANCES:

• Nick O'Connor went 4-for-7 with a home run, an RBI and a Run scored on the afternoon. He also drew two walks.
• STAC also received hits from Andrew Guerra (2-for-6, Walk), Christopher Conti (2-for-7), Joseph Scamardella (1-for-7), Kyle Lagrutta (1-for-6, Run, Walk), C.J. Cumbo (1-for-5, home run, RBI, Run), Billy Minett (1-for 2, RBI, Walk) and Justin Klayman (1-for-1) in the doubleheader.
• Orin Winslow got the start for Spartans in game one on Saturday and picked up a no-decision, allowing five hits and three runs, while walking four and striking out three over five and a third innings. 
• John Dezago pitched two and two thirds scoreless innings, allowing only two hits, while fanning four. Jeremiah Vega was charged with the loss (1-1) for surrendering two runs on three hits, while walking two Knights batters in the bottom of the ninth inning.
• Andrew Alameda tossed three and two-thirds innings as the Spartans game two starter, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits, while walking two and striking out two. Alameda took the loss and moved to 4-3 on the year.
• Robert Williams came out of the bullpen in the fourth inning and pitched two and a third innings in relief, allowing only a hit and a unearned run, while walking one and K-ing one.

FACTS & FIGURES:

• The Spartans posted 4 runs on 13 hits, with 1 error, while Queens earned 10 runs on 17 hits, with 3 errors.
• STAC pitchers struck out 10 Knights batters, while issuing 9 walks on the day.
• St. Thomas Aquinas stranded 14 runners on base. Meanwhile Queens left 17 in the doubleheader.

UP NEXT:

STAC has clinched a spot in the upcoming ECC Baseball Tournament, which takes place May 11-13 at the Mitchel Field Athletic Complex in Uniondale, New York. The #2 seeded Spartans will face #3 Queens in an opening round matchup, with first pitch time still to be determined.