From NYU Athletics
The New York University baseball team swept Yeshiva University in a doubleheader played at MCU Park in Brooklyn, NY, on Friday, March 25.
The Violets (6-12) snapped their six-games losing streak with 5-0 and 8-4 seven-inning victories over the Maccabees (0-10).
Chad Johnstone pitched six scoreless innings to record his first collegiate victory in the opener. He allowed only two hits and two walks while striking out four. Tom Ventura made his collegiate debut by pitching a scoreless seventh.
"It starts with starting pitching," said NYU Head Coach Doug KImbler. "We got ground balls and we made some plays out there."
The Violets scored the game's first run in the second on Jonathan Iaione's double and Michael Vokulich's RBI groundout.
NYU's big inning was the third, when the home team scored three runs. The big blows were a triple by Colman Hendershot and an inside-the-park home run from Adrian Spitz.
In the second game, the Violets overcame a pair of three-run deficits to post the victory.
NYU starter Jacob Bader gave up four runs over the first two innings. Then, trailing 4-2 entering the bottom of the fourth, the Violets scored three to take the lead for good. NYU added two more in the fifth and one in the sixth to cap the scoring.
Jack Kurtenbach, who relieved Bader and pitched three scoreless innings, recorded his first collegiate victory. He gave up only one hit and struck out five.
"Kurtenbach came in and threw strikes, hit his spots and earned another look on the mound," Kimbler said.
GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Billy Griffo went 2-for-2, was hit by a pitch and stole a base.
- Ryan McLaughlin was twice hit by a pitch, stole a base and scored a run.
GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS:
- Vokulich had two hits, two RBIs, scored two runs and stole a base.
- Matthew Wells and Eli Edwards each tossed a scoreless inning for NYU.
"Coming off a doubleheader sweep has to give you confidence at the end of the day," Kimbler explained. "We'll try and carry that feeling into tomorrow."