Rams Capture Fourth Straight Skyline Conference Championship
- Kevin Curtis named Tournament MVP -
#2 Farmingdale State - 10, #5 Old Westbury - 1
Farmingdale, N.Y. - The Farmingdale State baseball team won their fourth consecutive Skyline Conference Championship as they defeated Old Westbury 10-1 this afternoon in Farmingdale, NY. The Rams won all three of their playoff games and advance to the NCAA Regional Tournament on May 18-22 at a site to be determined.
Farmingdale State (22-12) scored early and often with a three run first inning. Senior first baseman Kevin Curtis (Riverhead, N.Y.) gave the Rams a two run lead off a triple to center that scored senior centerfielder Frank Yera (Manhattan, N.Y.) and sophomore right fielder Terrence Bohonan (Patchogue, N.Y.). Two batters later, senior left fielder Ryan Rubenstein (Deer Park, N.Y.) tripled home Curtis to cap off a three run first inning.
Two more runs crossed the plate for Farmingdale State in the third after back-to-back RBI singles by senior shortstop Brandon Cruz (Bronx, N.Y.) and Bohonan which put the Rams ahead 5-0.
In the fifth, Curtis singled before Cruz hit a triple down the right field line to give Farmingdale State a 6-0 lead. Two batters later, senior catcher Thomas Butler (Islip, N.Y.) tripled to left field, scoring Rubenstein, who reached base on a fielder's choice.
Junior third baseman Ryan McAllister (Miller Place, N.Y.) led off the sixth with a walk, stole second and was driven in on a single by sophomore designated hitter David Zilnicki (Riverhead, N.Y.).
In the eighth inning, Curtis roped a triple to right field that scored Zilnicki and advanced home on an error by Joseph Guido (Baldwin, N.Y.). Junior first baseman Anthony Orsano (Williston Park, N.Y.) put Old Westbury on the scoreboard in the ninth inning with a lead-off homer over the left field wall.
Freshman starting pitcher Mike Dolce (4-2) (St. James, N.Y.) earned the win after throwing 6.2 shutout innings and allowing only four hits. Senior pitcher J.R. Lott (East Islip, N.Y.) closed out final 2.1 innings to seal the victory.
Curtis was named the Skyline Conference Tournament's Most Valuable Player. He was 3-for-4 with two triples, three runs scored and 3 RBI in today's Championship game. Cruz was 2-for-5 at the plate with a triple and 2 RBI, while Rubenstein had two hits, including a triple, 2 RBI and a run scored. Bohonan and Zilnicki each had two hits and two runs scored for the Rams.
Farmingdale State will travel to Kean University before the Regionals for a non-conference game on Friday, May 13th at 1:00 p.m.
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