POMONA, N.Y. — D'Youville split a tightly contested ECC doubleheader at Clover Stadium on Friday, using a late-inning push to take game one, 3-2, before falling just short in a 4-3 decision in the nightcap.
The Saints (18-29, 13-16 ECC) leaned on timely hitting and steady pitching to secure the opener. After building a 2-0 lead in the third, D'Youville saw St. Thomas Aquinas (25-21, 14-15 ECC) even the score on a two-run home run in the fourth, setting up a late-game battle.
Derek Onevelo sparked the third-inning rally with a leadoff double, while Jake Hollins reached after being hit by a pitch. Billy Morris moved both runners into scoring position, and Garett Wilson delivered with a two-RBI single to right center to give the Saints an early advantage.
On the mound, Morris turned in a strong start, going six innings and allowing just three hits and two runs while striking out two. Greg Orcutt was sharp out of the bullpen, tossing three innings of one-hit relief to earn the win.
The deciding moment came in the eighth inning. Colby Wilson worked a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position before Blaise Kolbert lined a double to left center, bringing home the go-ahead run. Orcutt closed the door in the ninth to secure the 3-2 victory.
Game two followed a similar script, with both teams trading momentum throughout before the Spartans used a three-run sixth inning to edge the Saints, 4-3.
Jakob Denall delivered a solid outing on the mound, striking out eight over 5.2 innings while allowing four runs (three earned). The Saints' offense provided early support, highlighted by Jake Ferris' game-tying home run in the fourth. Billy Morris followed with a triple and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Garett Wilson to give D'Youville a 2-1 lead.
The Saints added to their advantage in the sixth when Wilson drove in Colby Wilson with a double, pushing the lead to 3-1. St. Thomas Aquinas responded immediately in the bottom half, capitalizing on hits and a defensive miscue to plate three runs and take a 4-3 lead they would not relinquish.
Morris paced the offense in game two with a pair of hits, including a double and a triple, while Wilson drove in two runs across the contest. Ferris added the Saints' lone home run of the day, the first of his career.
D'Youville threatened late but could not find the equalizer, as the Spartans held on to take the split.
The Saints close out the regular season against STAC tomorrow at Clover Stadium, with first pitch set for 11 a.m.
