The Baruch baseball team hit the road Friday afternoon for a CUNYAC doubleheader against the Bloodhounds of John Jay College.
Game 1: Bearcats 3, Bloodhounds 1 (9 innings)
The Bearcats earned a 3–1 extra-inning victory, scoring two runs in the top of the ninth to break a tie.
They struck first in the top of the third inning when Roy Longarzo singled and stole second base. Sam Steinman followed with an RBI single up the middle to bring Longarzo home and give the Bearcats a 1–0 lead.
John Jay tied the game in the bottom of the fifth with its lone run, coming on an RBI single by Jaxen Gangwish. The game remained knotted at 1–1 through seven innings, forcing extra innings.
In the top of the ninth, Peter Marino singled to center field and stole second base. Zachary Niedzwiecki walked and was replaced by pinch runner Cameron Soto. With runners on first and second, Longarzo delivered a clutch two-run triple to right-center field, scoring Marino and Soto to put them ahead 3–1.
Joe Bello closed the game in the bottom of the ninth, striking out two batters to secure the win and record his fifth save of the season. It was also the 11th save of his Baruch career, extending his program record.
Game 2: Bearcats 9, Bloodhounds 1
The Bearcats completed the sweep with a dominant 9–1 win in the second game of the doubleheader, hosted by John Jay at Kean University in Union, New Jersey.
The Bearcats opened the scoring in the top of the second inning when Matthew Rappa crossed the plate after Michael Rossi singled to right field.
In the third inning, Baruch capitalized with the bases loaded. Bello reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Longarzo to score. Kenneth Pastrana followed with another fielder's choice to drive in Steinman and extend the lead to 3–0.
The Bearcats added another run in the fourth as Steinman was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Bello worked an RBI walk to make it 4–0.
John Jay scored its only run of the game in the bottom of the fourth on a fielder's choice.
The Beatcats put the game out of reach with a four-run seventh inning, highlighted by RBI singles from Rossi and Nicholas Benedetto, an RBI walk by Longarzo, and a sacrifice fly by Marino.
On the mound, Benjamin Norwood earned his fourth win of the season, pitching six strong innings while allowing just one run on three hits and striking out seven. John Kim tossed a scoreless 1-2-3 seventh inning to close out the victory.
The Bearcats will return to action with a non-conference matchup against Saint Joseph's University (Brooklyn) at Bronx Community College on Tuesday, April 14, with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
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