By Steven Merritt
STATEN ISLAND – The Vassar College Baseball team opened the 2024 season on Friday afternoon as the Brewers fell 9-1 against New York University at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park. Vassar falls to 0-1 on the season while the Violets improve to 5-0 overall.
Vassar got on the board first in the top of the first as senior Jaden Millstein lead off with a single and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from senior Reid Lapekas. Following senior Jack Silvera reaching on an error, senior Ty Murray laid down a squeeze bunt to plate Millstein for the first run of the game.
NYU took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third when Harrison Blueweiss doubled to left field with two outs and then stole third following a walk from Nick Argenziano. Blueweiss scored on a steal of home following a pickoff to first base and Cam Dunn singled home
Argenziano, who reached second on a balk, to score the second run of the inning.
The Violets added two runs in the fourth as Max Oliveira doubled home Alex VanLandingham followed by an infield single from Blueweiss plating Oliveira with two outs.
A RBI infield single from Joe Cetale tacked on a run in the fifth before Cetale recorded another RBI single in seventh along with a sacrifice fly from Oliveira to make it 7-1.
NYU added two runs in the eighth as Argenziano scored on a VC error before Richard Beggy knocked in a run with a single.
For The Brewers
Millstein reached base three times in the game and scored the lone run for the Brewers.
Lapekas, Silvera and junior Marc Milano each had a hit while Murray recorded a hit and knocked a run in.
Senior Michael Came took the loss on the mound as he went five innings, allowing eight hits, five runs (two earned), walked four and struck out two. Junior Collin Donnelly added a scoreless inning of relief.
For The Violets
Blueweiss finished 4-for-5 with a RBI and a run scored while stealing three bases. Dunn and Cetale each recorded two hits as Cetale knocked in two runs.
Oliveira finished with three RBI while three other players finished with two runs scored.
Mason Morello earned the win on the mound as he tossed 7.1 innings and gave up five hits, one run, two walks and struck out five.