FORT PIERCE, FL - The Maritime College baseball team couldn't pull out a win in their final game of the spring break trip as they fell to Muskingum 6-2. The Privateers loaded the bases in the final inning and drove in one run, but couldn't keep the comeback hopes alive as
Adam Mosca (Massapequa Park, NY/Massapequa) drove a ball close to the warning track in left field with two outs that the Fighting Muskies were able to catch to end the game.
Muskingum struck first with a run in the bottom of the second and third inning, but starting pitcher
Ryan Ragone (Yonkers, NY/Stepinac) managed to work his way out a hole by striking out a batter with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the third. Maritime's offense responded to the defensive stand by tacking on a run of their own in the top of the fourth to make it a one-score game. After
Travis Zurita (Ozone Park, NY/Poly Prep) drew a walk to lead off the inning,
Antonio Diaz (Freeport, NY/Freeport) drove him home with an RBI single through the left side.
Ragone continued to stay strong on the mound as he didn't allow a hit in the fourth or fifth inning. Unfortunately, Muskingum was able to break through before Maritime as they added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning behind a home run.
Brian Murray (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) stepped to the mound in relief for Maritime and got them out of the inning quickly to keep the game within reach.
The top of the ninth inning started out slowly for Maritime with back-to-back outs, but they didn't give up yet as
Jake Vera (Plainview, NY/Bethpage) hit a single to start the two-out rally.
Angelo Brucculeri (Syosse, NY/Syosset) then drove a double to the left field wall to put runners on second and third.
Dan Sinisi (Pawling, NY/Pawling) and
Matt Eng (Brooklyn, NY/Midwood) followed it up with back-to-back walks to bring in a run and put Maritime within reach of tying the game in one swing. Mosca stepped up to the plate and drove the first pitch to deep left field, but it didn't have the juice to make it over the fielders head and the Privateers rally came up short.
Jake Vera (Plainview, NY/Bethpage) led the offensive effort with two hits, while
Ryan Ragone (Yonkers, NY/Stepinac) threw 5.1 innings and Murray and
Shane Sullivan (Stewart Manor, NY/Chaminade) completing the game in relief. The loss dropped Maritime to 3-4 on the season while Muskingum improved to 5-4. The Privateers return to action next Saturday for a home doubleheader against John Jay beginning at 12.
