FORT PIERCE, FL - The Maritime College baseball team opened up their 2020 spring break trip in a big way as they defeated Northland College 10-2 behind a 20-hit performance. Defensively, the Privateers were also on top of their game as they only allowed two runs on seven hits with Niko Concha (Ballston Spa, NY/Saratoga) earning the start and throwing 5 1/3 innings of two hit baseball.

Concha opened up the game with a quick 1,2,3 inning, but the Privateers offense couldn't take advantage of the early opportunity to take the lead as they left the bases loaded in the bottom of the first. In the top of the second inning, the Ballston Spa, NY native continued to dominate on the mound as he threw his second straight 1,2,3 inning. In the bottom half of the inning, the Privateers were able to cross home plate as Matt Eng (Brooklyn, NY/Midwood) delivered an RBI single to score Eric Wenig (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley).

After more solid defense in the top of the third, Maritime's offense opened up the game in the bottom half as they scored four runs on five hits. Antonio Diaz (Freeport, NY/Freeport) got the rally started with a bunt single, and then two batters later a double from Adam Mosca (Massapequa Park, NY/Massapequa) allowed him to cross home plate and make the score 2-0. Eric Wenig (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley) stepped into the batters box next and drilled a double of his own, which cleared the bases and scored two runs. Later in the inning, a ground ball from Matt Eng (Brooklyn, NY/Midwood) forced an error and Wenig crossed home plate to secure the five run lead for the Privateers.

Concha entered the fifth inning still going strong as he threw his third 1,2,3 inning of the game. Maritime's offense took advantage of the shutout pitching once again as they extended the lead to eight runs in the bottom of the fifth. Mosca, Wenig, and Shane Sullivan (Stewart Manor, NY/Chaminade) led off with singles, which loaded the bases with nobody out. The Privateers then chipped on three runs with a double from Travis Zurita (Ozone Park, NY/Poly Prep) and sacrifice flies from Eng and Phil Russo (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph By The Sea).

The Jacks closed the gap slightly in the sixth inning by scoring two runs, but in the bottom half of the inning Diaz responded with a solo home run down the left field line. The offensive onslaught by the Privateers ended in the seventh inning when a Russo single scored Sullivan to make the score 10-2.

Offensively, Mosca went 4-4 at the plate, while Wenig and Jake Vera (Plainview, NY/Bethpage) each chipped in three hits. Eng, Russo and Wenig all led the team with two RBIs each. Concha got the win for Maritime on the mound while Keegan McDonald (Farmingdale, NY/Farmingdale) and Brian Murray (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) pitched in relief for Maritime to help seal the victory.

The Privateers return to action tomorrow with a matchup against Lebanon Valley College at 10:00 a.m.