POMONA, N.Y. — Powered by a four-run second inning and a 13-hit day, D'Youville (17-28, 12-15 ECC) earned a 7-2 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas (24-20, 13-14 ECC) on Thursday at Clover Stadium.
After taking an early lead in the opening frame, the Saints broke the game open in the second and never looked back. Kevin Del Vecchio started the scoring with an RBI single in the first, scoring Colby Wilson, who reached earlier in the inning and moved into scoring position on a line drive base hit by Garett Wilson.
D'Youville extended its advantage in the second inning with a balanced offensive effort. Michael Huff reached to begin the inning and advanced into scoring position before Jacob Cooper drove him in on a groundout. Billy Morris followed with a double to score Cooper Cefaratti, and Colby Wilson capped the inning with a monster two-run home run (12) to right center, pushing the Saints' lead to 5-0.
St. Thomas Aquinas chipped away with runs in the third and fourth innings, but D'Youville's pitching staff limited any further damage. Evan Froelich earned the win, tossing five innings while allowing two runs on six hits with two strikeouts. Mihir Manerikar was strong in relief, closing the door with four shutout innings, scattering three hits and striking out three to secure the save.
The Saints added insurance in the seventh, taking advantage of Spartan miscues. Del Vecchio reached on a walk and later scored on a fielding error, while Jake Ferris came home on a throwing error to extend the lead to 7-2.
Colby Wilson led the Saints offensively with three hits, two runs scored, a home run, and two RBIs, while Morris added a pair of doubles and an RBI in the win.
D'Youville improves to 17-28 overall and 12-15 in ECC play, while St. Thomas Aquinas falls to 24-20 and 13-14 in conference action.
The Saints have an opportunity to clinch a postseason berth tomorrow, as they're slated for a doubleheader against STAC at Clover Stadium starting at 4 pm.
