BOX SCORE

The Baruch College Bearcats defeated the Dolphins from the College of Staten Island, 5-3, to win the 2012 CUNYAC/MCU Baseball Championship on Saturday afternoon at MCU Park (Brooklyn Cyclones) in Brooklyn, New York.

With the result, the Bearcats (21-17) win their second CUNYAC championship in four years, third overall in team history, and continue to set the team record for most wins in a season with 21. The loss drops Staten Island to 20-18 overall.

“Last year, we lost a heart-breaking game in extra innings to Staten Island in the championship,” said Head Coach Jose Torres. “Since then, we have worked hard since practice started to avenge that defeat and bring the trophy back to campus. Today’s victory is the culmination of all that hard work that resulted in us winning today’s championship.”

The Bearcats jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Thomas Daly hit an RBI single, his 50th RBI of the season, to score Steve Hession, while Alvin Mata scored from third base on a wild pitch for the early 2-0 lead.

Staten Island tied the game in the third inning as Bryan Moreno smacked a two run double to left center to score Sal Todaro and Luis Ortiz for the 2-2 tie.

The game remained tied until the Bearcats came to bat in the fifth inning. Alvin Mata hit a two out, three run homer to left field for the 5-2 lead to score Aldo Altamirano and Thommy DeJesus.

Staten Island scored a run in the eighth inning on an RBI single by Joe Cassano to score Bryan Moreno, but could not get any closer as Baruch ace Jesus Izarra pitched a complete game with seven hits allowed, three earned runs and five strikeouts to raise his season record on the mound to an undefeated 7-0.  

Alvin Mata was named the Championship Tournament MVP with an impressive three game championship performance batting .640 (7-11), with six runs scored, four RBI, five stolen bases, one double and one home run.

“I would like to give all the glory to God as it feels amazing to be a part of a championship team, which I have never been fortunate to be a part of," said Alvin Mata. “I have gotten close to winning a championship several times in my life and today it finally happened.”

The Bearcats will now await a possible berth to the ECAC Metro Regional Championship, which starts on Wednesday, May 9. The ECAC Metro field will be announced on Monday, May 7.

The team hopes to play one or two games during next week before the ECAC Championship begins. As soon as scheduling details are available, it will be posted on BaruchAthletics.com. 

2012 CUNYAC/MCU Baseball Championship Results
DOUBLE ELIMINATION FORMAT
Thursday, April 26, 2012 (at MCU Park)
Game 1, #1 Baruch def. #4 Lehman, 7-3
Game 2, #3 John Jay def. #2 Staten Island, 4-1

Friday, April 27, 2012 (at MCU Park)
Game 3, Staten Island def. Lehman, 10-7 (Lehman is eliminated)
Game 4, Baruch def. John Jay, 15-4
Game 5, Staten Island def. John Jay, 8-1 (John Jay is eliminated)

Saturday, April 28, 2012 (at MCU Park)
Game 6, Baruch def. Staten Island, 5-3 (Staten Island is eliminated)

ALL-TIME CUNYAC Baseball Tournament Championships: Staten Island 15, John Jay 7, Lehman 4, Baruch 3, CCNY 1