From NYU Athletics
The New York University baseball team earned its first-ever University Athletic Association (UAA) victory on Monday, March 9, at Sanford Memorial Stadium in Sanford, FL. The Violets defeated Association-rival Brandeis University 2-1 behind a quality pitching performance from freshman Cameron Serapillo-Frank.
NYU improves its overall record to 2-3, and is now 1-1 in UAA play.
"This was a great bounce-back win for us," said NYU Head Coach Doug Kimbler.
Serapilio-Frank earned his first collegiate victory in his second career start. The right-handed pitcher was efficient through his eight innings of work, throwing 90 pitches while striking out five Brandeis hitters and allowing just five hits.
"Cameron was great today. He did exactly what we know he is capable of," added Kimbler. "It was also nice that he was able to pitch deep into the game so we could keep our bullpen fresh as the week goes on."
Freshman Matthew Millus took the mound for NYU in the top of the ninth and earned his second-career save in as many chances. Millus pitched a perfect inning, striking out two Judges in the process.
Neither Serapilio-Frank nor Millus walked a batter, and the Violets defense was sharp throughout the contest. The squad is now 2-0 this season when not committing an error.
NYU got on the scoreboard first, tallying one run in both the second and third innings. In the second, freshman Jeremy Wayne hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded and one out to plate classmate Jonathan Iaione and give the Violets a lead they would never relinquish. A triple from freshman Jake Smith, followed by an RBI single from sophomore CJ Picerni helped NYU double its lead to 2-0 through three innings.
"I say it all the time and it's getting repetitive. But, if we throw strikes, play great defense and get a couple of timely hits, we are going to be a very competitive team," explained Kimbler. "Today we did all three things."
Brandeis scored an unearned run on a passed ball in the top of the fourth to cut NYU's lead in half. But, Serapilio-Frank and Millus combined to hold the Judges off the scoreboard for the remainder of the contest, helping the Violets to their second victory in the program's first varsity season since 1974.
Highlights:
- Smith was 2-for-4 with a run scored. The freshman is now hitting .313 through five games. Additionally, the centerfielder's third-inning triple was the program's first of the season.
- Picerni and freshman Christian Bloom each had two hits for NYU in the win.
- Iaione and fellow rookies Michael Vokulich and Christian Pellegrino each had one hit.
"We're going to give Vokulich the ball tomorrow and we have full confidence he can keep it rolling for us," concluded Kimbler.