SANFORD, FL – Clutch efforts propelled the Vassar College baseball team to a doubleheader sweep of Medaille College on Sunday in action at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. The Brewers posted a 1-0 win in game one, followed by a 2-1 effort to wrap up the day against the Mavericks. Vassar moves to 4-0 on the season, while Medaille is now 1-4 overall.
Game one saw senior first baseman Evan Trausch (San Diego, CA) play the hero as his fourth inning homerun proved to be the difference in the game. It was an even game across the board as both sides were retired in three straight through the first inning.
Senior outfielder Connor Levchuck (Greenlawn, NY) singled in the bottom of the second, followed by a Ty Landford (Tujunga, CA) hit with two outs, but the Brewers fight to get on the board was halted by an ensuing grounder to end the inning.
Trausch went on to put Vassar on the board with one out in the bottom of the fourth for the 1-0 edge.
Medaille worked to fight back in the contest as senior infielder Timothy Gaudioso (Fairport, NY) singled and then advanced on a wild pitch in the top of the fifth, but the Brewers shut down the momentum with a strikeout by senior Isaac Genao (Bronx, NY) and a grounder from senior catcher Robert Caraballo (Bronx, NY) to second to end the threat.
The Brewers nearly added on in the bottom of the sixth, as senior shortstop Daniel Bonfiglio (New York, NY) singles and advanced on a wild pitch. With two outs on the board, Trausch reached base on an error to send Bonfiglio to third, but the Brewers' momentum was shut down as junior catcher Brent Shimoda (Aiea, HI) struck out looking.
On the hill, senior righty Mitchell Mullock (Moorestown, NJ) earned his second win of 2020, going the distance with 7.0 innings pitched. He allowed just four hits, striking out four, with one walk allowed.
For Medaille, junior John Dref (Buffalo, NY) shouldered the loss, dropping to 0-1 on the season in a 6.0 innings pitched performance. He allowed 1 earned run on five hits, while striking out four on the day.
Game two proved to be another close affair that was cut to seven innings on account of darkness. The Brewers struck first in the opening frame, beginning with a Bonfiglio single. Freshman outfielder Alex Warren (Bethesda, MD) laid down a successful bunt, advancing to first, while sending Bonfiglio to second.
With one out on the board, a wild pitch from Medaille freshman Aiden Bova (Tonawanda, NY) moved both runners up a base. A double-steal highlighted the Brewers first run of the contest as Bonfiglio and Warren were both on the move with Bonfiglio sliding into home for the 1-0 lead. Vassar added to its advantage on the next play as Warren scored on a catcher error.
Both teams had their chances in the innings to follow, as Vassar maintained a 2-0 advantage. Medaille attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh as senior Shawn Filas (Hamburg, NY) doubled, reaching home on the next play as freshman Patrick Whelan (West Seneca, NY) cracked another double off VC sophomore Dawson Dullnig (San Antonio, TX).
The Vassar righthander maintained his composure following the back-to-back hits, forcing Dref to line out to second, followed by a strikeout to senior Paul Barker (Niagara Falls, NY) to end the threat and the game.
Dullnig improved to 1-0 on the season, going the distance for the Brewers in 7.0 inning pitched. He surrendered just one run on four hits, adding three strikeouts with two walks.
For the Mavericks, Bova shouldered the loss over 5.2 innings pitched. He allowed two runs on four hits with five strikeouts and four walks. Sophomore Derek Holtz (Akron, NY) come on for the final 1.1 innings of relief, recording a strikeout.
Vassar (4-0) is back in action on Monday at 10am when it takes on SUNY Oneonta at Polk Park in Lakeland, FL.
