FLUSHING, N.Y. — D'Youville split Friday's ECC doubleheader with Queens College, falling 6-4 in the opener before responding with a commanding 9-1 victory behind a dominant start from Jakob Denall and a balanced offensive effort.
Queens College used a four-run third inning to take control early and held off a late Saints rally to claim the opener, 6-4.
D'Youville's offense came to life in the fifth inning, plating four runs to erase most of a five-run deficit. Jake Ferris reached on a fielder's choice and advanced on a single from Kevin Del Vecchio before Blaise Kolbert reached on an error to load the bases. Billy Morris then delivered an RBI on a fielders choice as additional fielding miscues allowed all three Saints on base to score. Colby Wilson followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 5-4.
Queens answered with insurance in the eighth inning on a solo home run from Thomas McElwee.
Kolbert led the Saints offensively with three hits, including a double, and scored a run. Wilson also finished with three hits and an RBI, while Del Vecchio added two hits including a double.
Ty Graczyk made the start for D'Youville, striking out four over 2 2/3 innings. Mihir Manerikar provided strong relief, tossing 5 1/3 innings while allowing just one run on four hits with three strikeouts and no walks.
In game two, the Saints responded with one of their most complete performances of the season, using a five-run sixth inning to pull away for a 9-1 victory.
Jakob Denall set the tone on the mound, striking out eight over five innings while allowing just one run on four hits. The right-hander walked one and hit two batters but consistently limited Queens' opportunities throughout the contest.
D'Youville opened the scoring in the fourth inning. Kolbert singled to center and later scored on a single by Wilson. Cooper Cefaratti followed with a base hit that, combined with a Queens error, allowed two more runs to cross. Jacob Cooper scored on a groundout from Jake Hollins to give the Saints a 4-1 lead.
The offense erupted again in the sixth. Wilson started the inning with a solo home run followed by an RBI double from Jake Hollins, scoring Derek Onevelo. With the bases loaded later in the frame, Kolbert delivered a clutch double to right field that cleared the bases and extended the Saints' advantage to 9-1.
Kolbert finished the game with two hits, including a double, and three RBIs. Wilson added two hits, including the home run, and drove in two runs, while Cefaratti paced the lineup with three hits and two RBIs.
Denall and Morris combined for 11 strikeouts while limiting Queens to just four hits in the victory.
D'Youville returns to action tomorrow as the Saints are set for two more matchups with Queens College.
