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USCAA PLAYOFF REPORT: BRIARCLIFFE ELIMINATED
It was a great beginning for the Seahawks in the 2009 playoffs as Reggie Smith hit a two run home run to lead
Briarcliffe to a 12-5 win in the opening round. Matt Gelormino was superb, going six scoreless innings and getting the
win over Penn College. Penn entered the game with a record of 33-8, yet could not score despite having baserunners in every
innning against Gelormino. The win advanced Briarcliffe to the second round, where they were beaten by St. Catherine of Kentucky,
11-2. St. Catherine would eventually win the National Title, making it three straight years that the Seahawks have lost to
the eventual champion. Now with their backs against the wall, the Seahawks played UCC of Ohio. With UCC leading in the second
inning 1-0 and bases loaded and no one out, Lee Ranta was summoned from the bullpen to face the 2-3-4 hitters. Ranta
retired them all, two on strikeouts, to give the Seahawks a much needed lift. The team, however, failed to capitalize
on numerous offensive opportunities. Finally, in the bottom of the sixth, with one out and no one on, a routine ground
ball turned into an error. Soon afterwards, the floodgates would open, and Briarcliffe would lose 6-3 and be sent home without
the prize for the third straight time. The head coach had this to say about the tournament: "I felt we played hard.
We didn't catch a couple of breaks, and obviously didn't cash in when we had the opportunities. I am proud of our effort,
and of our first round success. I fully expect to be back here next year, and to be even better." BRIARCLIFFE
BACK TO WINNING WAYS, 4-3
Briarcliffe baseball combined solid pitching, timely hitting, and good defense to defeat NJCAA Division 1 Monroe
College. Matt Gelormino went seven strong innings, leaving with a 4-3 lead. Gabe Ermmarino came on for the eighth,
and immediately was in trouble with runners on first and third and one out. Ermmarino, however, struck out the next
hitter and induced an infield popup to get out of the jam and earn his third save of the season. Ermmarino also continued
his hot bat. Reggie Smith and Dan Rodriguez accounted for three of the four runs scored by the Seahawks. The team
will celebrate SENIOR DAY on SATURDAY MAY 2. BULLPEN SHAKY IN LOSS TO NEW PALTZ Behind the outstanding arm of Vin
Aprano, the Seahawks led New Paltz entering the seventh inning, 5-2. Aprano had yielded two runs in the
second inning on two walks, a hit batter, and a single. The Seahawks battled back, as Sean O'Malley tripled in a run
and then scored on a sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the fifth, Drew Raschen drove home two runs for the 5-2
lead. But the bullpen would fail in the seventh inning, yielding a leadoff walk to the number 9 hitter. With Rafael
Perez on the mound, the bases loaded and Briarcliffe holding on to a 5-4 lead, Perez got an easy DP comebacker.
However, the errant throw to second ended up in centerfield. New Paltz would score 5 in the inning, and hold on for
an 8-6 win. ANTONACCI
SHINES IN BIG WIN VS. ADELPHI Senior Matt Antonacci, possibly pitching
his last start of his career at Briarcliffe, was sensational in defeating #3 ranked Adelphi, 9-2. Antonacci in his last two
starts has beaten Fisher (24-11) and Adelphi (22-13). The senior has been a mainstay of the rotation since his sophomore
season, when he transferred from CW Post University.
The team played an almost perfect game, using sacrifice bunts, key two out hits, and outstanding defense including two double
plays. IN fact, Adelphi had runners on first and third with no out in the third with the score tied 2-2, when Antonacci delivered
a key strikeout followed by a terrific double play turned by Gabe Ermmarino and Mike Rocco. Offensively, Drew Raschen drove
in two big runs in a three run fifth (Steve Shea followed with an rbi single the next pitch that plated Raschen). The game
was broken open in the bottom of the sixth, when with two outs and the bases loaded Dan Rodriguez delivered a double down
the left field line. Rodriguez had 6 rbi on the day. Tim Coglietta continued his outstanding play, having an incredible
day at the plate and also in the field. The junior has had a sensational season. Coach Puccio called this "probably
the best game we could play -- we executed well, hit when it counted and played outstanding in the field." Unfortunately
for the Seahawks, game 2 was not as eventful, as a nine run fifth inning highlighted by three errors, 2 walks,and a hit batsmen
spelled doom. Adelphi, ranked #3 in the Northeast in NCAA D2, won 12-1. SLOPPY
PLAY GIVES POST U 8-2 WIN Despite a well pitched game by Rick Doht,
the Seahawks continued their shoddy defensive play and lack of hitting vs. Post University (ct) leading to an 8-2 loss.
The game was only 3-0 in the ninth, as the Seahawks had managed only 4 hits in the first eight innings of work. However,
a poor defensive ninth inning that included two errors gave Post a five run ninth. Drew Raschen, closing out a
terrific career at Briarcliffe, hit a two run homer, his first of the season, in the bottom of the ninth to prevent the shutout. JUST
LIKE SEASON, UPS AND DOWNS vs. FISHER
They were probably the best three games in a row played by the Seahawks this season, but in the end
Briarcliffe could not capitalize on a very successful Saturday doubleheader sweep. The Seahawks had won both games Saturday,
5-3 and 3-1 behind the arms of starters Matt Antonacci and Matt Gelormino. Rick Doht picked up the save in game 1 and
Gabe Ermmarino recorded the save in the second game. Ermmarino also drove in a run. Drew Raschen had 2 rbi for
the Seahawks in the opener. Now at 8-10, the Seahawks knew Sunday would be vital to their playoff hopes.
In an absolutely terrific first game of the doubleheader, the Seahawks scored one in the third and one in the fourth to take
a 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the sixth Fisher College tied the game. It stayed that way for the next three innings, until
with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the winning run on third, Matt Ryan hit an 0-2 pitch back throught the middle
for the victory. IN game 2, Lee Ranta continued to struggle with his control, walking in two runs in the first inning.
Ranta was down 4-0 from the go, and the Seahawks managed only 4 hits in the ballgame as Fisher College rebounded to sweep
Sunday's doubleheader. The team is scheduled to play St. Joseph on Wed, April 22. ST THOMAS CRUSHES BRIARCLIFFE,
16-2 In a game that was a lot closer than the score, Briarcliffe was unable to manage any offense until
the final inning of play. Trailing 4-0 in the seventh, the wheels began to fall off. It would take three pitchers to
complete the inning, and before it was over STAC had scored 10 runs for a 14-0 lead. The lone pitching highlight was
a perfect sixth inning pitched by Rafael Perez, who remains at a 0.00 ERA out of the bullpen this season. SEAHAWKS REBOUND vs. APPRENTICE The Briarcliffe Seahawks kept their playoff hopes alive
by splitting a doubleheader with archrival Apprentice School down in Virginia. Vin Aprano picked up the win, and Lee Ranta
the save as the Seahawks scored in the top of the sixth inning to break a 4-4 tie. Tim Coglietta's slow hit ground out proved
to be the difference. Apprentice had the tying run on third in the bottom of the seventh with one out when Head Coach Gary
Puccio summoned ace Lee Ranta from the bullpen. With the infield drawn in, a hard hit grounder fielded beautifully
by Reggie Smith held the runner at third for the second out. Dan Rodriguez then caught an infield popup that gave the
Seahawks the victory. Unfortunately, in game 2, baserunning mistakes and a lack of timely hitting wasted a good effort from
starter Rick Doht as the Seahawks lost, 4-2. SHIPBUILDERS SINK SEAHAWKS TWICE BIG SERIES A BUST FOR BRIARCLIFFE, LOSE 11-0, 18-4 The best thing that can be said about this past weekend's games was that the Seahawks only played twice.
After a long rain delay and a cancellation of friday's contest, the long anticipated matchup took place. However, the
matchup proved to be not much more than a southern beating as Apprentice devoured Briarcliffe, 11-0 behind their ace Dallas
Wagner. With Briarcliffe ace Lee Ranta going on Saturday, the Seahawks felt confident they could salvage the final game
of the series. It wasn't to be, however, as Ranta did not have good stuff and left after four innings trailing 7-0.
Apprentice would add on TEN more runs before the Seahawks could finally push across four runs in the bottom of the seventh,
two of them on STEVE SHEA's second home run as a Seahawk. Despite the lopsided losses, the bullpen got some much needed
work and performed admirably, with Julio Rodriguez and Rafael Perez yielding no runs. Jeff DeLuca, Jason Castillo and
Gabe Ermmarino also pitched well. The team falls to 5-8 -- but don't despair. Last season Briarcliffe started 5-10 and
managed to finish 21-17. The Seahawks will need to find that type of hot streak soon. Fisher College from Massachusetts
comes to town for a Tuesday afternoon doubleheader, followed wednesday by Concordia college. The Seahawks have 7 games
scheduled for this week. BRIARCLIFFE SENDS GLOBE SPINNING, 13-3
Globe Institute took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but that would be their only moment of success for the afternoon
as Briarcliffe came back in the bottom of the first for 2 and the bottom of the second for six in coasting to a 13-3 victory.
Tim Coglietta delivered the big hit, a bases clearing double in the bottom of the second inning to break a 2-2 tie.
The Seahawks never looked back. Matt Gelormino picked up the win, his first of the season. The Seahawks will now
play their big conference series vs. USCAA rival APPRENTICE this weekend. ADELPHI
BEATS SEAHAWKS, 5-3 In a big game against the #4 ranked team in the Northeast
in Division II, the Seahawks jumped out to a 2-0 first inning lead. For the first four innings, it looked like the Seahawks
would be able to hold off the Panthers. With Vin Aprano pitching a super game, the team held a 2-0 lead before an error
opened the door for Adelphi. Four runs would score in the fourth. Adelphi added a run in the sixth. The Seahawks
bounced back in the ninth, scoring once and leaving the bases loaded in a heart-wrenching 5-3 loss. Tom Locrotondo had
two hits and an rbi for Briarcliffe. Coach Puccio called it, "the best game we played this year. Hopefully we can build
on it." The team plays home tomorrow vs. GLOBE at 4 pm. SEAHAWKS WARMING UP - WIN DH DEFEAT USCAA OPPONENT LYNDON STATE 8-1, 9-3
The Briarcliffe baseball team, 0-4 at one point, has pulled within one game of .500 with a doubleheader sweep of USCAA rival
Lyndon State from Vermont. The first game saw Lee Ranta return to the mound for his first start since February 28.
Ranta was vintage, giving up 4 hits in six innings of shutout ball to run his amazing Briarcliffe lifetime record to 17-2.
The team chipped away, leading 4-0 after four and then breaking it open late. Drew Raschen had a tremendous 11 pitch at bat,
where Raschen fouled off pitch after pitch before doubling in the gap to drive home two runs.
The second game, with Matt Antonacci on the hill, looked a lot like the first game offensively for Lyndon State. In
the bottom of the third inning the Seahawks, in desperate need of a doubleheader win, scored five times. The inning
was capped by STEVE SHEA's FIRST COLLEGE HOME RUN, a two-run blast over the left field wall. The team is scheduled to play
the last two games of this series on Sunday, MArch 29, weather permitting. DEFENSIVE LAPSES PUT BRIARCLIFFE
IN DEEP HOLE, LOSE 13-7 TO STAC
Coach Puccio called yesterday's second inning, "the worst inning of baseball I have ever encountered since I have been
here at Briarcliffe College". The coach had a pretty strong case: walks to #8 hitters, wild pitches to #9 hitters,
4 errors on routine plays, a missed out at the plate, and throwing to the wrong base were just some of the antics the Seahawks
came up with in the top of the second. By the time the circus had left town, the team was down 10-0. However, this Briarcliffe team has shown a propencity to rally
and not give in. Chipping away at the lead, the Seahawks scored 2 in the bottom of the third, two more in the bottom
of the fifth, and three more in the bottom of the seventh. In the meantime, starter Matt Gelormino had settled down and bounced
back to hold STAC at that 10 run mark. Relievers Rafael Perez and Jeff DeLuca (his fourth straight
solid performance) continued to hold STAC at bay. In the bottom of the eighth, with runners at second and third, Tim Coglietta
represented the tying run. Coglietta, who was the player of the week for the USCAA, grounded out to end the Seahawks last
gasp. In the top of the ninth a two run homer clinched the victory for STAC, with the final 13-7. BRIARCLIFFE SWEEPS NYU, 10-0, 21-3 LOCROTONDO, COGLIETTA SHINE
The Briarcliffe Seahawks, playing their first aluminum bat games of the season,
exploded for 31 runs in a doubleheader sweep of NYU at PAL COMPLEX in Holbrook, NY. Coglietta had six hits and three
stolen bases in the doubleheader. The first game was not as easy as the score might suggest. Briarcliffe led only
2-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning when Briarcliffe erupted for four runs to break the game open. Rick Doht's return
to the rotation was an impressive one, yielding just one hit over five and one-third innings of work. Doht, who has been injured
since March 2008, made his last start almost 400 days ago. The sophomore was sharp throughout, gaining his third lifetime
college win in four decisions. Jeff DeLuca and Gabe Ermmarino completed the two-hit shutout. It was in
game two, however, when the bats really exploded. After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the first, Tom Locrotondo hit the
Seahawks first home run of the season to cut the lead to 2-1. One inning later, with two outs and the bases loaded, Locrotondo
cleared the bases with a double to give the Seahawks a 4-2 lead. Two pitches later, senior All-American Dan Rodriguez (who
was restored to his more familiar three spot in the order today) delivered a two run home run for a 6-2 lead. The Seahawks
never looked back. Locrotondo would finish the game with 5 rbi, and play stellar defense at second base as well. Vin Aprano,
after that shaky first inning where he walked one, gave up two hits and was called for a balk, settled down nicely for his
second straight win of the season. Captain Jason Castillo pitched a scoreless sixth inning and walkon Julio Rodriguez
closed the game out with a solid seventh inning. The freshman also got his first ever collegiate hit. Head Coach Gary
Puccio had this to say after the contest: "We needed this today. Hopefully it will start us on the right path. It is
especially great when someone steps up in a tough situation, and Tommy did that for us big-time today. I was generally
pleased with the intensity and focus of the ballclub today." The team returns to Division II competition on Tuesday, taking on St. Thomas Aquinas
at 4 pm at the PAL COMPLEX. QUEENS
KEEPS BRIARCLIFFE WINLESS, 3-1
Queens College entered the game with the Seahawks looking for their first win of the season after seven straight
losses, and managed to survive a ferocious ninth inning rally by Briarcliffe to win, 3-1. Down 3-0 in the ninth, the Seahawks
loaded the bases and had one run in with still no one out. It looked like Briarcliffe had tied the game on a 2
rbi double by Mike Rocco, but the ball was ruled a foul ball....a game of inches, as they say. Rocco then proceeded
to hit into a double play, and with an umpire's interference call at second base, Briarcliffe was also denied their second
run. Instead runners remained at second and third with two out. Tim Coglietta then hit a ball sharply but the
wind kept it in the air long enough for Queens to catch the final out of the ballgame. Briarcliffe's promising rally had
come up hauntingly short. Matt Antonacci took the loss despite pitching six strong innings, giving up only 2 earned
runs. Matt Gelormino looked impressive pitching the final two innings for the Seahawks. The team falls to 0-4,
the worst start in four years under Coach Puccio. The team opens up a fairly substantial homestand, playing 14
of the next 15 games in the confines of PAL COMPLEX. This Sunday at noon the team takes on NYU in a doubleheader
(2-7 inn games). "Obviously, when
you are struggling to get runs, mistakes get magnified. A missed sign here and there, a miscued
ball, a non-play all add up to trouble right now. Hopefully we can correct the flaws -- we are in the games, but now need
to show we can win games we are in," Puccio said. "Hopefully some home cooking is just what the doctor ordered --
I expect us to turn it around during this homestand." SEAHAWKS
OPEN 2009 WITH 3 LOSSES IN SC MOLLOY DEFEATS BRIARCLIFFE 14-4 In the 2009 season opener, Briarcliffe came out strong, building a 4-0 lead against Molloy College of Rockville Centre,
NY. Unfortunately for the Seahawks, the second half of the game proved quite costly. Starter Matt Gelormino deserved
a better fate, pitching five outstanding innings giving up just one earned run and leaving with a 4-2 lead. Rick Doht
came out of the bullpen, allowing one inherited runner to score but preserving a 4-3 lead. The floodgates would open in the
bottom of the sixth, as Molloy would score three on a home run from TJ Greig. Despite this, Briarcliffe managed to avoid a
big inning, and the game went to the bottom of the seventh with Molloy winning 6-4. Up stepped TJ again, and with runners
on second and third and two out the Seahawks elected to intentionally walk him. However, on the intentional walk, a wild pitch
occured, allowing the runner from third to score and breaking the game open. Molloy would go on to score five more times before
the final out of the inning was recorded. An equally horrific eighth inning produced two more runs as Molloy hammered Briarcliffe,
14-4. APRANO SHINES, BUT SEAHAWKS FALL, 2-1
Vin Aprano, making his first start of his college career, allowed only one hit --a bunt single -- in giving up no earned runs
in five innings of work against Dowling College. Ironically, it was Aprano's throwing error that allowed Dowling to score
their only run against him in the bottom of the fifth inning. Briarcliffe tied the game in the sixth on Dan Rodriguez's
bases loaded ground out, but with runners at second and third the Seahawks were unable to add any more runs. In the
bottom of the sixth, the Golden Lions took the lead for good, scoring a run after a steal of second base. Gabe Ermmarino
took the loss for Briarcliffe, which fell to 0-2. Coach Puccio, however, wanted to focus on the performance his young
freshman had just given: "Vinny showed a lot of poise and confidence for a freshman pitching against a very solid Dowling
ballclub. I am sure he is headed for big things down the road." SEAHAWKS
LOSE 12-6 DESPITE LATE LEAD Coming into the game 0-2 and Mercy at 2-0, the
Seahawks needed a big win to jump start their 2009 season. Instead, Mercy College recorded their first win ever against Briarcliffe
with a come from behind 12-6 victory. The Seahawks were in trouble early, as ace Lee Ranta
struggled with his control in the first inning. Ranta allowed three runs to score, then another unearned run in inning
#2. With a 4-0 lead, Briarcliffe finally went to work. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, Tim Coglietta
delivered a bases clearing double to bring Briarcliffe within one. The very next inning, the Seahawks would score again
and take the lead on a Mike Rocco base hit. 6-4. Ranta, who had thrown almost 50 pitches in the first two innings, was removed.
Rafael Perez came on and pitched a scoreless sixth, and Jeff DeLuca pitched the seventh. In the seventh, Mercy pushed across
an unearned run. With the tying run at third DeLuca delivered a called strike three curveball that left the Seahawks with
the one run lead entering the eighth. Once again,the late innings proved disasterous for Briarcliffe. Mercy scored three runs
in the eighth and three more in the ninth to win 12-6. Shoddy defense and poor pitching combined to hurt the Seahawks
late -- something not accustomed to the past few years. In fact, in the past three years only once had Briarcliffe blown a
lead from the eighth inning on. On this day, however, the Seahawks imploded and now have a three game losing streak to start
the 2009 season.
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