From NYU Athletics

The New York University baseball team won its first varsity game since 1973 on Saturday, February 14, in Atlanta, GA. After falling 18-3 in the first game of the doubleheader, the Violets bounced back and defeated host Oglethorpe University 2-0 in the nitecap to record their first victory of their first-ever season as a NCAA Division III varsity program.

NYU's last varsity victory was posted on May 16, 1973, an 11-1 win over St. John's University when the Violets competed in NCAA Division I.

"That was a great win, and on behalf of our team we want to dedicate it to the NYU Baseball alumni," said NYU Head Coach Doug Kimbler. "We are all thrilled and we hope they share a similar feeling."

Game one:

For the second consecutive game, Oglethorpe scored the first eight runs of the contest. They were all unearned as the Violets defense struggled in the first few innings.

NYU bounced back with three runs in the top of the fourth, as Adrian Spitz, Matthew Miller, and David Wagner each picked up RBIs in the inning. The Stormy Petrels then scored the final 10 runs of the contest.

Game two:

In game two, freshman Michael Vokulich started the game on the mound and pitched 6.2 innings of shutout ball. His classmate, Matthew Millus, came in to get the final out on just one pitch to earn the save and clinch the program's first-ever win as a NCAA Division III varsity team.

Millus' only pitch came with the bases loaded and two outs. He got an Oglethorpe batter to pop up to shortstop, earning the save and the Violets' first victory since 1973.

The Violets scored the first run of the contest in the top of the fourth as Wagner reached on an error and worked his way around the bases eventually scoring on a wild pitch. Christian Bloom singled in the top of the sixth and scored on Spitz's single to add to the NYU lead.

Highlights:

- Spitz had three hits and 2 RBI's over the course of the doubleheader. The sophomore also played terrific in right field, making a diving catch in game two.

- Vokulich was outstanding on the mound for NYU. He retired the leadoff hitter in five of his seven innings and struck out two Oglethorpe batters.
   
"We needed a guy to come in and throw strikes and Michael did just that," added Kimbler. "I'm proud of him for his timely help to get the squad back on track."

- CJ Picerni had two hits in game one, including a double in the fourth inning, NYU's first extra base hit of the season. The sophomore caught both games for NYU and helped Vokulich and Millus combine for the shutout in game two.

- Jake Smith had two hits in game one and played well in centerfield in both games for the Violets.

- Jeremy Wayne, Jonathon Iaione and Miller combined on a 4-6-3 double play in the fifth inning of game two to help Vokulich out of a jam.
 
 "We learned a lot about ourselves this weekend, and it's nice to go home with some positive momentum," concluded Kimbler.