Caldwell, NJ – The Concordia College baseball team got back to their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) schedule on Tuesday afternoon with a visit to Caldwell College. The Cougars scored runs early in both games to sweep the Clippers 8-1 and 10-4.
After Concordia went down in order to begin the game, Caldwell scored four runs in the home half of the first inning to take an early 4-0 lead. The Clippers could not get their offense going, recording one hit in the first four innings.
In the top of the fifth, Concordia got on the scoreboard after Joe Gallub (Oceanside, NY) grounded out to bring in Chris Rutigliano (Wantagh, NY) from third base. This would be the only run for the Clippers in the game as the team only recorded four hits.
The Cougars scored four more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take an 8-1 victory. Anthony Pisano (Clarkstown, NY) was saddled with the loss after pitching 5.0 innings and allowing four earned runs on five hits while striking out five batters. Rutigliano hit a team-high two hits for Concordia as the team struck out nine times.
In game two, the Clippers continued to struggle offensively in the beginning of the game. Caldwell brought two runs across the plate in the first and third innings to take a 4-0 advantage. Concordia did not record a hit in the first five innings and went down in order during the first four innings.
The Cougars added three additional runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 7-0 lead. The Clippers would get on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth on back-to-back plays. Erik Poldroo (New York, NY) hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored David Velázquez (Queens, NY) from third base and moved Jason Berrios (Brooklyn, NY) from second to third. Luis Gonzalez (Carmel, NY) came up to bat next and his RBI single through the left side brought in Concordia's second run.
Caldwell brought home three more runs in the seventh inning and held a 10-2 advantage. In the top of the ninth, the Clippers scored two more runs off a two RBI single by Raul Gonzalez (Brooklyn, NY) but it would not be enough to attempt a late comeback.
Jake Matranga (Yorktown Heights, NY) pitched 2.2 innings as he allowed four earned runs on five hits in the loss for Concordia. The bullpen combined to pitch the remainder 5.1 innings as the three pitchers allowed five earned runs on 14 hits. Raul Gonzalez led the offense with his two RBI's as only four batters recorded hits for the Clippers.
Concordia (2-19, 0-4 CACC) will return to their home field for their next four games. The Clippers begin their home stand with on Dominican (NY) on Friday afternoon for a single CACC game. First pitch is set for 3pm at Clipper Baseball Field.