Pomona, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team squared off with the defending Atlantic Region Champions, East Stroudsburg University in a non-conference matchup on Tuesday afternoon at Clover Stadium. Warriors starting pitcher Cade Davis completely shut down the potent Spartans offense to hand the maroon and gold an 8-0 shutout defeat.
STAC slips to 23-16 on the year, while ESU improves to 28-12
8-0 East Stroudsburg
In a non-conference matchup, St. Thomas Aquinas struggled to generate offense and couldn't overcome early control issues, falling 8–0 to East Stroudsburg.
Early Pressure from the Warriors
East Stroudsburg wasted no time getting on the board, pushing across a run in the first on an RBI groundout from Troy Davis to take a 1–0 lead.
The Spartans ran into trouble in the second as command issues and free passes opened the door for a big inning. East Stroudsburg plated three runs on RBI hits from Easton Albert and Braydon Hubbard, along with a bases-loaded walk by Walker Zampella, extending the lead to 4–0.
The Warriors added on in the third when Albert delivered again, ripping an RBI double to center to make it 5–0.
Control Issues Extend the Lead
East Stroudsburg continued to capitalize in the fourth, using patience at the plate to draw another run on a bases-loaded walk by Connor Reilly, stretching the margin to 6–0.
They tacked on insurance in the later innings, scoring on a wild pitch in the seventh and adding a sacrifice fly from Chase Frantz in the eighth to push the lead to 8–0.
Spartans Silenced at the Plate
St. Thomas Aquinas couldn't find any offensive rhythm, managing just three hits on the day. Ethan Antenore and Ben Moscatiello accounted for all three, but the Spartans were unable to string together quality at-bats against a dominant East Stroudsburg pitching staff.
Despite turning multiple double plays defensively, the Spartans struck out 14 times and left five runners on base in the shutout loss.
Pitching and Discipline the Difference
Control proved to be the deciding factor, as Spartans pitchers issued 13 walks and hit multiple batters, leading to constant pressure from the Warriors lineup. Zachary Rometo took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on two hits and four walks in 1.1 innings.
On the other side, Cade Davis was dominant, earning the win with six shutout innings while striking out 11 and allowing just two hits. The East Stroudsburg bullpen preserved the shutout with three scoreless frames.
Top Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Ethan Antenore: 2-for-4
- Ben Moscatiello: 1-for-3, BB
East Stroudsburg
- Chase Frantz: 2-for-3, RBI, 3 R, 1 BB
- Easton Albert: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R, BB
- Braydon Hubbard: 1-for-1, RBI, R, BB
- Connor Reilly: 0-for-2, RBI, 3 BB
Up Next
STAC opens a four-game East Coast Conference series on Friday, April 24 against Molloy University at Clover Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.