The New York University baseball team returned to action on Tuesday, May 2, following a weekend washout against Washington University in St. Louis. The Violets took full advantage of being back on the diamond by sweeping the College of Mt. St. Vincent Dolphins by scores of 16-2 and 7-3 back home at MCU Park in Brooklyn, NY.
The story of the day for NYU (19-12) was its offensive explosion in the opener.
Jonathan Iaione tied a team record by belting two home runs, while both he and
Jack Walter hit inside-the-park grand slams. Both players finished with five RBIs.
"I've never seen two of those in the same game before, and I'm not sure I'll ever see it again," said Head Coach
Doug Kimbler.
Walter finished 4-for-5 and scored a pair of runs while Iaione was 2-for-3 and scored three runs. They each had a stolen base.
Jack Elias also had two hits and
Scott Hilbrandt knocked in two.
Overall, the Violets belted out 15 hits and stole five bases.
There was also a stellar performance on the mound, as starter (and winner)
Cameron Serapilio-Frank struck out eight batters in his 5.2 innings, tying another team record. The junior had set the mark with eight strikeouts during his rookie campaign, while
Michael Vokulich also accomplished the feat that season.
Serapilio-Frank allowed only one hit and one walk in the contest, picking up his third win (3-1) of the season.
"Cameron has been the ace of our staff all season, and he certainly performed like one today," Kimbler offered.
Most of the scoring in the second game came in the first inning. After the Dolphins (8-31) scored two in the top of the first, the Violets responded with five in the bottom of the frame on RBIs from five different players: Iaione,
Colman Hendershot,
Coltrane Tait, Hilbrandt, and
Will McKenna.
Ford Ladd started for NYU and went 3.2 innings. He was relieved by
Jack Kurtenbach, who went 2.1 scoreless innings to pick up the victory.
Matthew Millus pitched a perfect seventh.
"Good pitching and timely hitting were the key for the us in the second game," Kimbler explained.
The Violets get right back to work tomorrow when they play a single game at New Jersey City University beginning at 3:30 pm.