Game 1

Game 2

SCHENECTADY, NY- The Union baseball team rebounded from a hard loss in the first game to defeat visiting Vassar 8-7 in the second game of a doubleheader on Senior Day at Central Park on Saturday afternoon.

 

Before the game, the team honored its six seniors: Dane Flavin, PJ Mugford, Justin Real, Matt Rogers, Anthony Cassese and Jeremy LeFebvre.

 

Phil Kemp started game two and went seven innings giving up eight hits, two earned runs, three walked and struck out five. At the plate, Vincent Esposito was 3-for-5 with two doubles, three runs scored, and two stolen bases. Flavin was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Cassese went 1-for-3 at the plate with a double, two runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base.

 

The Dutchmen scored in each of the first four innings of the game to go up 7-0 going into the top of the fifth inning. Vassar added one run the top of the fifth to make it 7-1. Union got that run back on a Dylan Katz-Wicks' single that scored Esposito and make it 8-1.

 

Union seemed to be in control of the game but the Brewers fought their way back. They score once in the sixth inning and then a five run burst in the eighth go them to within one run of tying the game. 

 

Quinn Rhoda recorded the final out of the eighth inning and went into the ninth looking to nail down the save. He ran into some trouble as he hit David Ringold to lead off the top of the ninth. Rhoda then struck out Parker Werline. Scott Allen, who came in a pinch runner for Ringold, then stole second. Joe Castilla then struck out. Joe Bubar then walked and Rhoda was replaced by Andrew Beaule. Beaule got Liam Lee to strike out and end the game.

 

Beaule recorded his first save of the season. Joe Lovizio was charged with the loss.

 

Vassar took the first game 10-0. Dane O'Neil started for Union and went 4.1 innings giving up seven hits, eight runs, (seven earned), three walks and struck out eight. Esposito led the team in hits as he went 2-for-3 at the plate. 

 

Scott Allen went the distance for the Brewers and gave up five hits, three walks, and struck out five. 

 

O'Neil seemed to be cruising through the game as he recorded five strikeouts in the first two innings. Vassar scored twice in the third inning to go up 2-0. 

 

O'Neil retired all three batters in the fourth including getting his sixth strikeout of the game. In the fifth inning, Vassar did their damage as they scored seven runs to take a 9-0 lead. O'Neil only recorded one out in the inning and was replaced by Cody Portin. Portin struck out Devon Luongo but surrendered a three run homer by Castilla that gave the Brewers the 9-0 lead.

 

Vassar would add one more run in the top of the seventh to complete the scoring in the game.  

 

Union is now 12-19 overall and 8-14 in the Liberty League. Vassar is 14-18 overall and 7-12 in the Liberty League.

 

The two teams play again tomorrow in Poughkeepsie at 1 pm.