Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team dropped both ends of an East Coast Conference doubleheader to Mercy University on Friday afternoon in Westchester County by the scores of 6-3 and 2-1.
STAC falls to 13-5 overall and 4-2 in ECC play, while Mercy improves to 11-9 and 5-1.
Game One: 6-3 Mercy
Mercy used a steady offensive attack and a late two-run eighth inning to pull away from St. Thomas Aquinas, handing the Spartans a 6–3 loss.
Scoreless Start
Both teams were held in check through the first three innings as starting pitchers Andrew Schoelles and Andre Jenkins traded zeros early. Each side struggled to generate momentum, with only a handful of baserunners reaching safely.
Mercy Strikes First
Mercy broke through in the fourth inning. Anthony Altobelli came around to score on a fielder's choice by John Nisco, taking advantage of a throwing error to give the Mavericks a 1–0 lead.
Spartans Respond in the Fifth
St. Thomas Aquinas answered in the top of the fifth inning. Charlie Cordisco came around to score on an RBI single from Ryan Hillery to tie the game at 1–1.
Moments later, C.J. Cumbo delivered the big swing, launching a two-run home run to left field to give the Spartans a 3–1 advantage.
Mercy Answers Back
The lead was short-lived as Mercy responded with a three-run fifth inning. Altobelli drove in a run with a sacrifice fly before John Nisco tied the game with an RBI single. Zach Ashline followed with another RBI knock to give Mercy a 4–3 lead.
Late Insurance Seals It
After several quiet innings, Mercy added key insurance runs in the eighth. Kolongi Goins doubled to right-center to bring home a run, and Altobelli followed with an RBI single—both runs unearned—to extend the lead to 6–3.
Pitching Holds the Line
Andre Jenkins earned the win after tossing eight strong innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out six. Dylan Ruland closed the door in the ninth to secure the save.
Andrew Schoelles took the loss for the Spartans, allowing four runs on eight hits over five innings. The bullpen kept the game within reach, but defensive miscues proved costly late.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- C.J. Cumbo: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, R
- Ryan Hillery: 1-for-4, RBI, R
- Charlie Cordisco: 1-for-2, R, 2 BB
Mercy
- Anthony Altobelli: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, R
- Kolongi Goins: 3-for-4, 2 R, RBI, 2B
- John Nisco: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
- Matthew Hesselbirg: 3-for-4, R
Game Two: 2-1 Mercy
In a tightly contested battle, Mercy scratched across a late run to break a tie and secure a 2–1 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas.
Mercy Strikes Early
Mercy wasted little time getting on the board in the opening inning. Dylan Koch singled and eventually came around to score on a sacrifice fly by John Nisco, giving the Mavericks a quick 1–0 lead.
Pitchers Settle In
From there, both teams were locked in a pitcher's duel. St. Thomas Aquinas starter Christian Varela was sharp, allowing just one run on four hits over five innings while limiting damage and keeping the Spartans within striking distance.
On the other side, Nevin Scaperotti controlled the game for Mercy, holding the Spartans to minimal opportunities as innings passed with little offensive production.
Spartans Break Through Late
St. Thomas Aquinas finally broke through in the seventh inning. Anthony Dimarco came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Kyle DeCresce, tying the game at 1–1 and giving the Spartans late momentum.
Mercy Responds in the Bottom Half
The tie was short-lived. In the bottom of the seventh, Mercy answered immediately. With runners on base, Anthony Altobelli delivered an RBI single to center field, bringing home Zach Ashline for what proved to be the game-winning run.
Pitching Seals It
Scaperotti finished what he started, tossing a complete game while allowing just one run on four hits and striking out four to earn the win.
Christian Simonsen was charged with the loss in relief for the Spartans, while Varela's strong outing kept the game within reach throughout.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Anthony Dimarco: 1-for-3, R
- Ryan Hillery: 1-for-3
- Joshua Mccormick: 1-for-3
- Michael Zeis: 1-for-1, BB
Mercy
- Anthony Altobelli: 2-for-4, RBI
- Dylan Koch: 1-for-3, R
- Zach Ashline: 1-for-3, R
- John Nisco: 0-for-2, RBI
Up Next
STAC hosts Queens College in a Sunday afternoon doubleheader at Clover Stadium, with the first pitch of game one scheduled for 4:00 p.m.