HOBOKEN, N.J. (April 7, 2023) – Senior Michael Reyes recorded a two-run home run in game number one of a doubleheader, but the bats were not working overall as the Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team was swept by their MAC Freedom foe Misericordia. The Cougars won game one by a score of 4-2 and game two by a score of 3-1. The games took place at Dobbelaar Field.

The Ducks (18-9, 9-5 MAC Freedom) tallied only seven hits in total across the two games. Junior catcher Frank Tonina led the team with two. The team remains in third place in the conference standings but now trails Misericordia by 2.5 games. 

The Cougars improved to 22-5 on the season and 11-2 in conference play. Derrick Vosburg led the team at the plate, dishing out three hits and two RBI to pace the visitors. Misericordia never trailed in either game.

After neither team recorded a hit in the first inning of number one, Joe Comins hit a leadoff home run in the top of the second for Misericordia to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

After a hit-by-pitch and a single for the Cougars, Vosburg delivered an RBI single to double the visitors lead in the top half of the third.

With two outs and runners on first and second in the third inning, Vosburg came through with another RBI single to center to put Misericordia. Senior Michael Reyes bobbled the ball in center which caused Brock Bollinger to run home, but the Ducks got the tag at the plate to halt the Cougars.

The Ducks finally found their groove in the bottom of the sixth inning. After sophomore Evan Pravato walked to leadoff the inning, senior Ben Tobio took over Pravato's position as he grounded into a fielder's choice. Reyes was up next, and he delivered a no-doubt home run to right field for the Ducks' first hit of the game. The score would remain 3-2 in favor of the Cougars heading into the seventh inning.

Misericordia tacked on an insurance run in the seventh. Vosburg had a leadoff double and would eventually score on an error.

After a leadoff single by junior Jack Irby in the bottom of the seventh, the Ducks grounded into a double play as hopes of a comeback dwindled. The Cougars would hold on to win 4-2.

Senior Justin Doyle (4-3) was given the nod in game one. He pitched three and a third innings. He gave up three runs on four hits. The righty also struck out five. Junior Axel Johnson pitched the final three and two-thirds innings. He gave up one run on five hits. He struck out two batters and walked four.

David McCurray (7-2) pitched all seven innings for the Cougars. He only allowed two runs on two hits. He struck out six Ducks and walked three in the victory.

Misericordia jumped out to an early lead in the second game. After a leadoff single, from Garrett McIlhenney, he was able to later score in the inning on a sacrifice fly to go up 1-0.

The Ducks were in business in the bottom of the third inning as they tied things up. Tobio reached on an error in the opening at-bat and then reached second as sophomore Victor Schilleci singled. Junior Christian Kreiser would advance both runners on a groundout later in the inning. In the next at-bat, Tobio scored on a wild pitch as the score read 1-1.

There was no scoring action until the sixth inning. Misericordia scored two runs in the top half of the frame as Connor Maryniak went yard to left field to put the Cougars up 3-1.

Despite putting two runners on in the seventh thanks to walks, the Ducks were unable to score another run as Misericordia escaped Hoboken with two crucial MAC Freedom victories.

Senior Ryan Shea earned the start in game two. He lasted four innings and allowed only one run on three hits. He also struck out three batters. First-year Erik Sibbach (4-2) pitched two innings. He gave up two runs on two hits.

Steve Rinda (2-1) was victorious for the Cougars in the second game. He pitched five innings for the visitors and only allowed one run on five hits. He struck out nine batters. Max Oliver (S: 1) earned the save as he pitched just a third of an inning.

Up Next: Baseball finishes the three-game series with Misericordia on Wednesday, April 12. The game will be in support of the Bristol Fire Department and will be played at Muzzy Field in Bristol, Conn. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.