Staten Island Wins Twice, Lifts 13th CUNYAC Baseball
Senior Matt Thompson laced a two-run go-ahead single in the bottom of the eighth inning, while classmate
and Most Valuable Player Eric Waldhelm came on in the top of the first inning in relief and pitched 7.2 innings
of two-run, six-hit baseball Tuesday night at the CSI Baseball Complex, as top-seeded Staten Island won a pair
of games and captured the program’s record-13th City University of New York Athletic Conference Baseball
Championship with an 8-7 victory over third-seeded and defending champion John Jay. Sophomore Pat Gale fired
a complete-game eight-hitter with two runs allowed earlier in the evening to lift the Dolphins (22-19) into the
winner-take-all finale with a 3-2 decision over the Bloodhounds (24-19) in the double-elimination tourney.
After combining for 26 runs, 34 hits and 10 errors in their earlier postseason meeting, the opener was
anything but a slugfest as Gale and the Bloodhounds’ John Massoni were handed the ball on the mound, with
both turning in sterling performances. The two battled through the opening six innings without a blemish,
allowing only a single runner to reach third base through two-thirds of the contest.
CSI finally hit paydirt in the game’s seventh inning, scoring three runs to lead after seven frames.
John Jay pulled closer one inning later, plating a couple of runs off of their own, closing the gap to 3-2.
That was as close as John Jay would get, insuring a winner-take-all game in the nightcap.
In the game that would decide it all, CSI gave the start to sophomore knuckleballer Daniel Gonzalez,
while John Jay entrusted starter Michael Colletta to handle the Dolphins lineup. In a departure from the opener, however, both teams did not take long to make a
big impression.
Before CSI could get a turn at the dish, the Bloodhounds handed the Dolphins a 5-0 deficit, chasing Gonzalez just seven batters into the game. Gonzalez was
only able to register a single out, as the eventful start featured a hit batter, three base hits, a fielding error, and a sac fly.
Down 5-0, CSI answered quickly with a pair of runs in their turn in the first inning. Gale, this time in the designated hitter’s role, started with a RBI groundout to
shortstop, scoring Piccirillo, who started the inning by earning a walk. Andrew Baio then came around to score via a Colletta wild pitch, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
CSI got another two runs back in the third inning. With two outs, Mohammad Hamad started the rally with a base hit, and after stealing second, scored on a
Baio triple to straightaway center field. Baio then scored on a Gale hit, making it a 5-4 ballgame after three frames.
Two innings later, DeWaters started the inning off for CSI with a walk, and three batters later, Baio’s harmless ground-out to second base plated him, tying
the game at 5-5.
In the sixth inning, CSI made the comeback complete. A Ray Valerio double to right-center got things started, and after being moved over to third base via a
Michael Madalone ground-out, a sacrifice fly to shallow centerfield by Thompson, gave CSI the critical 6-5 lead.
The defending-champion Bloodhounds immediately responded, finally getting to Waldhelm in the seventh. Hernandez led off with a walk, and was moved
over via a fielder’s choice sac-bunt by Perez. Hernandez was moved over to third one batter later, and a Chris Nastasi sac fly plated the sophomore, tying the game
at 6-6. Waldhelm escaped the rest of the inning unscathed.
In the eighth, CSI broke the tie. Gale doubled with one away to get things started, and Valerio followed by reaching via a Steven Roman error at second base,
advancing to second and pushing Gale to third. Colletta responded by getting Madalone to go down on strikes for the inning’s critical second out. In what was
arguably the biggest at-bat of the game, Thompson was next up, and the senior blooped a single into left-center, scoring both base runners, and giving CSI an 8-6
lead going into the ninth inning.
The resilient Bloodhounds made things awfully interesting in the final frame. Perez started with a single through the left side of the infield, and that promptly
chased Waldhelm for freshman southpaw James Mardikos to face the heart of the John Jay lineup. Massoni followed with a walk, and Nastasi was plunked on a 2-2
pitch to load the bases with no one out. Anthony Cestaro was next up, and the sophomore punched a soft grounder to third base, which DiCasoli was able to field
TOURNAMENT
MVP
Eric
Waldhelm
cleanly and fire to first a split second before Nastasi was able to beat the throw. The Bloodhounds got a
run closer, at 8-7, but CSI was able to register an out.
After an intentional walk to load the bases Luis Guzman, Mardikos delivered, striking out Luis Guzman. With the crowd at a fever pitch on both sides, Roman was next up, and the frosh smoked a fly ball to
centerfield that Valerio was able to track down and glove, giving CSI the 8-7 exhilarating win.
“It’s a big win for the program, but a bigger win for the kids,” said CSI Head Coach Bill Cali after the
roller-coaster evening, “This means a lot to them.”
When asked about the resiliency the Dolphins showed down the stretch, the eight–time CUNY Championship coach deflected the praise to his team.
“We can talk about the games all we want,” Cali said, “But it always comes down to them performing
on the field and they deserve a lot of credit.”
Waldhelm, who pitched 7.2 innings of relief for the win, allowed just two runs on six hits, fanning
four batters, and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Colletta took the tough loss, allowing
eight runs (six earned) on eight hits through 7.2 innings, fanning four.
Abad went 3-for-4 in the nightcap, pacing the Bloodhounds. Baio and Gale turned in the only multihit games for the Dolphins, both adding two RBI’s apiece.
CSI’s 13 CUNYAC Championships are a conference-best, and the win was the fifth in six years for
the Dolphins. John Jay and Staten Island have combined for the last seven championships and 12 of the
last 13. CSI also claimed the 2008 CUNYAC regular season championship, sporting a conference-best
11-4 record.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BOXSCORE
CSI POS
AB R H RBI BB SO
Piccirillo SS 3
1
1
0
1
1
Hamad 2B
3
1
1
0
0
1
Baio
1B
4
2
2
2
0
0
Gale DH
4
1
2
2
0
0
Valerio
CF
4
2
1
0
0
0
Madalone C
4
0
0
0
0
1
Thompson LF
3
0
1
3
0
0
DiCasoli 3B
3
0 0
0
1
1
DeWaters RF
3
1
0 0
1
1
Gonzalez P
0
0 0
0
0
0
Waldhelm
P
0
0 0
0
0
0
Mardikos
P
0
0 0
0
0
0
Totals
31 8 8 7
3 5
CSI pitching
IP H R ER BB SO
Waldhelm (W)
7.2 4 2
3
3
4
Mardikos (S)
1.0 0 0
0
2
1
Batting: 2B - Baio; Gale; Valerio. LOB: 4. SB: Hamad,
Thompson. 3B - Baio. SH: Hamad. SF: Thompson. Fielding:
Pitching: WP: Waldhelm PB: Gonzalez
JOHN JAY POS
Hernandez
CF
Perez
SS
Massoni
RF
Nastasi
3B
Cestaro
LF
Abad 1B
Guzman
C
Roman
2B
Cepeda
DH
Colletta
P
Vega
P
Totals
J.J. pitching
Colletta (L)
Vega
AB R H RBI BB SO
3
2
0
0
1
1
4
2
2
0
0
1
4
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
2
1
0
5
1
1
1
0
0
4
1
3
0
1
0
5
0
1
1
0
2
4
0 2
1
1
0
4
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
35 5 11 4
4 4
IP H R ER BB SO
7.2 8 8
6
2
4
0.1 0 0
0
1
1
Batting: 2B: Gomez 2, Zorrilla. LOB: 10. SH: Perez. SF: Nastasi. Fielding: E:1 (Roman). Pitching: LP: Colletta.
JJC
CSI
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2 X
R H E
7 10 1
8 8 3
2008 cuny Tournament Results
CHAMPIONSHIP at the College of Staten Island
Day 1
Game 1: #1 Staten Island 9, #4 Lehman 5
Game 2: #3 John Jay 11, #2 Mitchell 4
Day 2
Game 3: #4 Lehman 7, #2 Mitchell 2
Game 4: #3 John Jay 14, #1 Staten Island 12
Game 5: #1 Staten Island 13, #4 Lehman 8
Tournament Most Valuable Player
Eric Waldhelm
Fr.
OF
Staten Island
2008 cuny weekly honors
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Players of the Week
Richard Gomez
IF
Jorge Rosado
OF
Chris Nastasi
3B
Mo Hamad
IF
Richard Gomez
IF
Xavier Perez
IF/OF
Chris Nastasi
IF
Jhonny Reyes
2B
Sr.
Jr.
So.
Sr.
Sr.
So.
So.
Sr.
CCNY
John Jay
John Jay
CSI
CCNY
John Jay
John Jay
Lehman
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Pitchers of the Week
Adam Kolonoski
LHP
Steve Rodriguez
RHP
Jeremy Chapman
LHP
Emmanuel Vera
RHP
Emmanuel Vera
RHP
Jeremy Chapman
LHP
Jeremy Chapman
LHP
Andy Langlais RHP
Jr.
Sr.
So.
Jr.
Jr.
So.
So.
So.
Lehman
Lehman
Mitchell
Lehman
Lehman
Mitchell
Mitchell
Mitchell
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Rookies of the Week
Nico Rivera
RHP Jason Valentin
OF/P
Pat Gale
LHP
Jason Caraballo
1B
Pat Gale
LHP
Jeff Perillo
3B
John McGarry
IF
Jeff Perillo
3B
CUNYACOverall
WL Pct.
WL Pct.
11 4 .733
22 19 .537
1. Staten Island
10 5 .667
20 15 .571
2.Lehman
10 5 .667
24 19 .558
John Jay
9 6 .600
15 18 .455
4.Mitchell
3 12 .200
4 27 .129
5. Baruch
6.CCNY
2 13 .133
3 31 .088
2008 cuny all-stars
Day 3
Game 6: #1 Staten Island 3, #3 John Jay 2
Game 7: #1 Staten Island 8, #3 John Jay 7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
FINAL cuny standings
Brandyn Michalak
Andrew Baio
Jhonny Reyes
Chris Nastasi
Seth Nowakowski
Anthony Piccirillo
Greg Polius
Thomas DeWaters
Gilbert Garcia
John Massoni
Xavier Perez
Pat Gale
Andy Langlai
Luis Guzman
Joseph Valentin
Mo Hamad
David Chestnut
Bob Glennerster
Ray Valerio
Anthony Cestaro
Alex Hamlin
Willis Fernandez
Amadoernesto Guzman
Luis Vega
Emmanuel Vera
Richard Gomez
Fr.
Fr.
So.
So.
So.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
John Jay
CCNY
CSI
Lehman
CSI
Mitchell
Mitchell
Mitchell
First team
C
So.
1B
Sr.
2B
Sr.
3B
So.
SS
Jr.
SS
Sr.
OF
Sr.
OF
Sr.
OF
Sr.
UT
Jr.
DH
So.
P
Sr.
P
Jr.
Mitchell
Staten Island
Lehman
John Jay
Mitchell
Staten Island
Baruch
Staten Island
Lehman
John Jay
John Jay
Staten Island
Mitchell
Second team
C
Sr.
1B
Sr.
2B
Sr.
3B
Sr.
SS
Sr.
OF
Fr.
OF
So.
OF
Sr.
UT
Jr.
DH
So.
P
Fr.
P
Fr.
John Jay
Baruch
Staten Island
Baruch
Staten Island
Staten Island
John Jay
Mitchell
CCNY
Lehman
John Jay
Lehman
player of the year
IF
Sr.
CCNY
Jeremy Chapman
pitcher of the year
P
Sr.
Mitchell
Jeff Perillo
rookie of the year
3B
Fr.
Mitchell
John Quirk
coach of the year
2nd Season
Lehman
baseball 2008
2008 FINAL individual hitting & Pitching statistics
1.
2.
3. 4. 5. 6.
8.
9. 10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
BATTING AVERAGE
Richard Gomez
CCNY
Jhonny Reyes
Lehman
Anthony Piccirillo Staten Island
Chris Nastasi
John Jay
Jeff Perillo
Mitchell
Andrew Baio
Staten Island
Mohamed Hamad Staten Island
Xavier Perez
John Jay
John Massoni
John Jay
Greg Polius
Baruch
Seth Nowakowski Mitchell
Anthony Cestaro John Jay
Amado Guzman
Lehman
John McGarry
Mitchell
Brandyn Michalak Mitchell
Luis Alicea
Lehman
Luis Guzman
John Jay
Alex Hamlin
Mitchell
Gilbert Garcia
Lehman
Thomas DeWaters Staten Island
G
32
35
40
41
32
39
39
42
43
31
32
43
35
28
32
35
40
27
35
35
AB
111
141
160
166
114
151
130
155
176
116
119
168
125
91
106
138
143
92
148
108
H
56
66
70
71
46
57
49
58
65
42
43
58
43
31
36
46
47
30
48
35
AVG.
.505
.468
.438
.428
.404
.377
.377
.374
.369
.362
.361
.345
.344
.341
.340
.333
.329
.326
.324
.324
1.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
slugging percentageabtb
Richard Gomez
CCNY
111 94
Chris Nastasi
John Jay
166 113
Greg Polius
Baruch
116 75
Jhonny Reyes
Lehman
141 91
Jeff Perillo
Mitchell
114 70
Seth Nowakowski
Mitchell
119 68
John Massoni
John Jay
176 100
Anthony Piccirillo
Staten Island
160 85
Andrew Baio
Staten Island
151 80
Andrew Rosario
Lehman
133 70
Gilbert Garcia
Lehman
148 72
Amadoern. Guzman
Lehman 125 59
Mohamed Hamad
Staten Island
130 60
Anthony Cestaro
John Jay
168 77
Luis Guzman
John Jay
143 65
pct.
.847
.681
.647
.645
.614
.571
.568
.531 .530
.526
.486
.472
.462
.458
.455
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
on base percentage
Richard Gomez
CCNY
Jhonny Reyes
Lehman
Jeff Perillo
Mitchell
Chris Nastasi
John Jay
Anthony Piccirillo
Staten Island
Brandyn Michalak
Mitchell
Xavier Perez
John Jay
Seth Nowakowski
Mitchell
Greg Polius
Baruch
John Massoni
John Jay
Thomas DeWaters
Staten Island
Mohamed Hamad
Staten Island
John McGarry
Mitchell
Steven Roman
John Jay Devon DiCasoli
Staten Island
pct.
.554
.540
.521
.495
.478
.470
.459
.448
.435
.433
430
.426
.419
.417
.417
1. 2.
4.
5.
7.
10.
11.
RUNS SCORED
Jhonny Reyes
Lehman
Edwin Hernandez
John Jay
John Massoni
John Jay
Chris Nastasi
John Jay
Anthony Piccirillo
Staten Island
Jeff Perillo Mitchell
Luis Alicea
Lehman
Xavier Perez
John Jay
Steven Roman
John Jay Andrew Baio
Staten Island
Anthony Cestaro
John Jay
pa
124
147
135
173
161
125
164
134
108
176
182
132
167
118
96
Ab
111
141
114
166
160
106
155
119
116
176
108
168
91
117
103
G
35
43
43
41
41
32
35
42
42
39
43
R 58
50
50
47
42
42
39
39
39
37
36
12.
15.
Luis Guzman
Seth Nowakowski
Jorge Rosado
Devon DiCasoli
John Jay
Mitchell
John Jay
Staten Island
40
32
28
38
34
34
34
33
1. 2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
12.
13.
RUNS BATTED IN
Chris Nastasi
John Jay
John Massoni
John Jay
Anthony Cestaro
John Jay
Andrew Baio
Staten Island
Johan Abad
John Jay
Seth Nowakowski
Mitchell
Amadoern. Guzman
Lehman
Luis Alicea
Lehman Gilbert Garcia
Lehman
Matt Thompson
Staten Island
Pat Gale
Staten Island
Richard Gomez
CCNY
Greg Polius
Baruch Edwin Hernandez
John Jay
Anthony Piccirillo
Staten Island
Mohamed Hamad
Staten Island
G
41
43
43
39
42
32
35
35
35
35
29
32
31
31
41
39
RBI
57
56
39
38
37
36
34
33
32
32
32
31
30
30
30
30
1.
2. 3. 7. 9.
15.
DOUBLES
John Massoni
John Jay
Jeff Perillo
Mitchell
Luis Guzman
John Jay
Greg Polius
Baruch
Seth Nowakowski
Mitchell
Amadoern. Guzman
Lehman
Jhonny Reyes
Lehman
Gilbert Garcia
Lehman
Andrew Rosario
Lehman
Anthony Cestaro
John Jay
Andrew Baio
Staten Island
Anthony Piccirillo
Staten Island
Johan Abad
John Jay
Mohamed Hamad
Staten Island
Chris Nastasi
John Jay
G
43
32
40
31
32
35
35
35
34
43
39
41
42
39
41
2B
20
18
13
13
13
13
12
12
11
11
11
11
11
11
10
1. 3.
5.
6.
7.
9.
TRIPLES (min. 3)
Chris Nastasi
John Jay
Jorge Rosado
John Jay
Andrew Rosario
Lehman
Andrew Baio
Staten Island
Jhonny Reyes
Lehman
Greg Polius
Baruch
Anthony Cestaro
John Jay
Ray Valerio
Staten Island
Edwin Hernandez
John Jay
John Massoni
John Jay
Richard Gomez
CCNY
Gilbert Garcia
Lehman
Xavier Perez
John Jay
G
41
28
34
39
35
31
43
38
43
43
32
35
42
3B
7
7
6
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
1.
2. 3.
5. HOME RUNS (min. 3)
Richard Gomez
Chris Nastasi
Greg Polius
Seth Nowakowski
Johan Abad
John Massoni
G
32
41
31
32
42
43
HR
8
6
4
4
3
3
1. 2. 3.
4.
STOLEN BASES
Jhonny Reyes
Lehman
Armando Wellington
CCNY
Jorge Rosado
John Jay
Devon DiCasoli
Staten Island
CCNY
John Jay
Baruch
Mitchell
John Jay
John Jay
GSB
35
44
34
31
28
21
38
19
baseball 2008
5.
6.
7.
8.
10.
11.
13.
Mohamed Hamad
Edwin Hernandez
Willis Fernandez
Xavier Perez
Greg Polius
Ray Valerio
John Avona
Anthony Piccirillo
Thomas DeWaters
John Massoni
Matt Thompson
Staten Island
John Jay
CCNY
John Jay
Baruch
Staten Island
Baruch
Staten island
Staten Island
John Jay
Staten Island
39
43
32
42
31
38
26
41
35
43
35
18
17
16
15
15
12
12
12
11
11
11
1. 2.
3.
4.
6.
9.
12.
13.
15.
walksg
Steven Roman
John Jay
42
Devon DiCasoli
Staten Island
38
Jeff Perillo
Mitchell
32
Jhonny Reyes
Lehman
35
John Massoni
John Jay
43
Michael Madalone
Staten Islamd
35
Brandyn Michalak
Mitchell
32
Seth Nowakowski
Mitchell
32
Xavier Perez
John Jay
42
Ramon Grullon
Baruch
29
Thomas DeWaters
Staten Island
35
Johan Abad
John Jay
42
Jorge Rosado
John Jay
28
Luis Guzman
John Jay 40
Ray Valerio
Staten Island
38
BB
34
24
23
21
21
20
20
20
19
19
19
18
17
17
16
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6.
7. 8. 9. 10.
EARNED RUN AVg. (min.of 5 app.)
Pat Gale
Staten Island
John Massoni
John Jay
Eric Waldhelm
Staten Island
Luis Vega
John Jay
Michael Colletta
John Jay
Steve Rodriguez
Lehman
Gilbert Garcia
Lehman
Emmanuel Vera
Lehman
David Chestnut
Baruch
Adam Kolonoski
John Jay
ERA
4.65
4.73
5.09
5.37
5.38
5.66
5.80
5.91
6.29
6.35
1. 2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
10.
STRIKEOUTS
Pat Gale
Staten Island
John Massoni
John Jay
Michael Colletta
John Jay
Emmanuel Vera
Lehman
Greg Polius
Baruch
Jeremy Chapman
Mitchell
Raul Hidalgo
CCNY
Luis Vega
John Jay
Gilbert Garcia
Lehman
Adam Kolonoski
John Jay
IPK
71.2 81
66.2 64
92.0 61
56.1 59
60.2 55
50.0 54
52.0 50
53.2 42
35.2 42
56.2 32
1. 2.
3.
4. 5. 6. 7.
8. 9. 10.
OPPOSING BATTING AVG.
Pat Gale
Staten Island
Gilbert Garcia
Lehman
Jeremy Chapman
Mitchell
Emmanuel Vera
Lehman
Luis Vega
John Jay
Steve Rodriguez
Lehman
Adam Deltgen
Mitchell
Eric Waldhelm
Staten Island
Greg Polius
Baruch
Cody Fadis
Mitchell
H
73
40
54
65
64
62
40
79
82
45
APP.
16
15
14
23
11
9
8
12
10
13
AB 285
150
198
235
219
211
135
266
268
143
ER
37
35
36
32
55
31
23
37
34
40
AVG.
.256
.267
.273
.277
.292
.294
.296
.297
.306
.315
2008 CUNY TOURNAMENT RECAPS
Game 1 • #1 Staten Island 9, #4 Lehman 5
The College of Staten Island men’s baseball team took a positive first step to the 2008 CUNYAC Postseason Championship Tournament, turning
back the No. 4 seeded Lehman College Lightning, 9-5, in a single nine-inning affair earlier this evening at the CSI Baseball Complex. The Dolphins
(19-18 overall) snapped a three-game skid in the process, while Lehman saw their modest two-game win streak snapped, dropping the Lightning to 18-15
overall.
The game saw plenty of action from the get-go, as both teams exchanged runs in the game’s first inning. Lehman got on the board first, touching CSI
starter Pat Gale for a single run. Jhonny Reyes led off the inning with a single, and Luis Alicea followed with another basehit to left field. After registering
a pair of outs, Gale then got in trouble, walking the bases-loaded and then another walk to Matthew Arvelo scored Reyes, giving Lehman the 1-0 edge.
The lead didn’t last long, as the Dolphins registered five big runs in their half of the first frame. CSI’s first four batters notched hits, as Andrew Baio
brought in Anthony Piccirillo to start the damage. Another RBI by Pat Gale plated Mohamed Hamad, and Ray Valerio then followed with an RBI-triple,
one of two on the day for the senior. A Lehman error in the field plated CSI’s final run, and after one inning, CSI led 5-1.
Gale and Lehman starter Emmanuel Vera then settled, and the two battled through the next two innings unscathed. A Devon DiCasoli basehit
plated Valerio in the fourth, giving CSI a 6-1 lead before both teams scratched a run across in the fifth inning. In the sixth, another Lehman error, one of
five on the afternoon for the Lightning brought in another CSI run, and CSI had a commanding 8-2 lead after six innings.
Lehman then wrestled momentum away in the late innings. With the bases loaded and no one out, Gale was lifted for reliever Stephen Mojica, and
although Mojica finished the inning, Lehman was able to register a pair of runs via a Gilbert Garcia two-RBI single.
The Lightning scratched another run in the eighth via a Reyes RBI-single, but CSI countered with a run in their half of the eighth, aided by another
pair of Lehman errors. Down to their final three outs, the Lightning went down in order against CSI closer Andrew Baio.
Pat Gale earned the win, tossing six innings, allowing four runs on five hits, fanning seven. Vera went the distance for Lehman, allowing nine runs
(six earned) on 11 hits, walking none and fanning five.
At the dish, Lehman’s Luis Alicea (2-5, RBI) and Jose Garrido (2-4, 1 RS) enjoyed multi-hit games, while CSI’s Ray Valerio went an outstanding
3-for-4 at the plate, notching a pair of triples, an RBI and three runs scored.
Game 2 • #3 John Jay 11, #2 Mitchell 4
The John Jay baseball team, the No. 3 seed, picked up an opening round win in the 2008 CUNYAC baseball championship as the Bloodhounds
defeated No. 2 seeded Mitchell College, 11-4, at the College of Staten Island Baseball Complex on Thursday.
With the win the Bloodhounds advance into the winner’s bracket game of the double elimination tournament where they will face top seeded College
of Staten Island at 4 p.m. on Friday. The Pequots will square off with Lehman College at 1 p.m. Friday in the first elimination game.
On Thursday, the Bloodhounds recorded 11 runs on 11 hits en route to the opening round win. The Bloodhounds took the lead in the top half of the
first inning with a pair of runs to take a 2-0 lead. Edwin Hernandez (Brooklyn, NY / Murry Bergtraum) led off the game by ripping a triple on the first pitch
of the contest, and came in to score on an RBI single by John Massoni (Staten Island, NY / St. Peter’s Boys). Later Massoni came in to score on a fielder’s
choice by Johan Abad (Corona, NY / Flushing) to make the score 2-0.
But the Pequots added a run in each of the first three innings and took a 3-2 lead after three innings of play. Mitchell held onto the lead into the fifth
inning when the Bloodhounds took the lead for good. John Jay got three across in that frame and led 5-3 after 4 1/ 2 innings of play. Anthony Cestaro
(Paramus, NJ / Paramus) ripped a one out triple off the left field fence, and three batters later Cestaro scored to tie the game on an RBI single by Albert
Cepeda (Bronx, NY / Graphic Arts). John Jay then took the lead on an RBI single by Xavier Perez (Bronx, NY / Manhattan Center) that scored Luis
Guzman (Yonkers, NY / Mt. St. Michael’s) who reached base with a walk and went 1-for-4 on the evening.
The Bloodhounds tacked on another way after the Pequots starting pitcher, Jeremy Chapman, committed a balk that allowed Cepeda to score from
third. The Bloodhounds got another pair of runs in the next inning. John Massoni (Staten Island, NY / St. Peter’s Boys), who was 2-for-4 with three runs
and three RBI, laced a triple to right center to score Steven Roman (Middletown, NY / Chapel Field Christian). And later Massoni came to score after
Abad reached on an error by the Pequots shortstop with two outs. John Jay added four more insurance runs, including two in the seventh and two in the
ninth to take a commanding lead late in the contest.
Game 3 • #4 Lehman 7, #2 Mitchell 2
The Lightning defeated the Mitchell College Pequots by a score of 7-2 to stay alive in the tournament. In Lehman’s victory over Mitchell College,
junior Adam Kolinoski was the story, as he pitched arguably the best game of his collegiate career, hurling a complete game and allowing just two runs
(one earned) on seven hits while walking one batter and striking out two. He didn’t allow a run after the sixth inning, as he frustrated the Mitchell College
lineup.
The Lightning never trailed in the contest, as Lehman plated two runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back, maintaining and building
the advantage throughout the course of the game. Offensively for the Lehman, senior Jhonny Reyes paced his club by finishing 2-for-4 with a triple, double,
two runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base. Third baseman Leonardo Hernandez also contributed by finishing 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI’s.
For Mitchell College, no player had more than one hit, and the RBI’s were recorded by shortstop Seth Nowakowski who finished 1-for-4 on the day
and Andy Langlais who was 0-for-4 but brought home a run via a groundout in the sixth inning.
Game 4 • #3 John Jay 14, #1 Staten Island 12
The John Jay baseball team overcame an 12-3 sixth inning deficit, to defeat the College of Staten Island, 14-12, in 10 innings in the winner’s bracket game
of the 2008 City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) baseball championship at the College of Staten Island Baseball Complex. John
Massoni (Staten Island, NY / St. Peter’s Boys) ripped a solo shot in the top of the tenth to give John Jay the lead. Meanwhile Luis Vega (Brooklyn, NY /
Christ the King) went 6.1 innings in relief and allowed one run on five hits to earn the win.
Game 5 • #1 Staten Island 13, #4 Lehman 8
In a game that ended a half hour before midnight, the Dolphins prevailed over the Lightning to advance to the CUNYAC championship. Lehman started
Steve Rodriguez made the final start of his collegiate career, and he faced off against Dolphins starter James Mardikos.
The Dolphins struck first in the contest, plating two runs in the bottom of the first inning via an error by Reyes and a sacrifice fly by Pat Gale. After one
inning of play, CSI led 2-0. The Dolphins tacked on three more runs in the second inning to take a commanding 5-0 lead. Lehman, just as it has done all
year, made the game interesting, plating two runs in the third and two more in the fourth to cut CSI’s lead to one, 5-4.
The Dolphins would give themselves a cushion once again in the bottom of the fourth inning, pushing across three runs thanks to a two-RBI single by
Andrew Baio and an RBI single by Ray Valerio. After four innings of play, CSI held an 8-4 lead. The Lightning got two runs back in the top of the sixth
inning thanks to an RBI double by Amadoernesto Guzman and an RBI groundout by Matthew Arvelo.
cunyac REGULAR SEASON champions (1978-2008)
Year
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Champion
John Jay
John Jay
Staten Island
Staten Island
Queens
Brooklyn
John Jay
Staten Island
John Jay
Queens
John Jay
John Jay
Staten Island
Lehman
John Jay
Lehman
Lehman
Staten Island
Lehman
Staten Island
Lehman
Staten Island
Staten Island
John Jay
John Jay
Staten Island Staten Island
John Jay
Staten Island
Lehman
Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island
Cazenovia
New Jersey City
John Jay
John Jay
Staten Island
CUNYACoverall
8-0
n/a
7-1
n/a
7-1
n/a
6-1
n/a
8-0
n/a
6-1
n/a
6-1
n/a
6-1
n/a
4-1
n/a
4-1
n/a
4-0
n/a
4-0
n/a
7-1
n/a
8-0
25-8
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
8-2
18-10
9-1
26-5
7-1
18-8
8-0
29-7
4-0
13-11
4-0
12-15
3-1
11-20
7-1
21-13
5-1
20-12
5-1
26-13
6-0
20-11
5-1
19-12
4-2
20-11
4-2
8-16
6-0
14-21
6-0
26-13
5-1
20-16
11-2
19-14
11-3
19-14
18-0
30-14
16-2
27-15
11-4
22-19
Head Coach
Lou DeMartino
Lou DeMartino
Sonny Grasso
Sonny Grasso
Gary Krupsky
n/a
Lou DeMartino Sonny Grasso
Lou DeMartino Gary Krupsky
Lou DeMartino
Lou DeMartino
Matt Rozzi
Nick Nikou Lou DeMartino
Michael Fleischer
Michael Fleischer
Fran Hirschy
Michael Fleischer
Fran Hirschy Nick Nikou Bill Cali
Bill Cali
Lou DeMartino Lou DeMartino
Bill Cali
Bill Cali Lou DeMartino Bill Cali
Juan ‘Kiko’ Reyes
Bill Cali
Bill Cali
Bill Cali
Pete Liddell
Ken Heaton
Dan Palumbo
Dan Palumbo
Bill Cali
Player of the Year
none selected
none selected
none selected
none selected
none selected
none selected
none selected
none selected
none selected
none selected
none selected
none selected
none selected
Nelson Fernandez
Victor Reich
School
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Lehman
CSI
Mickey Garcia
Kevin Crombie
Tom Tierney
Willie Diaz
Michael Cortazzo Jason Anarumo
Juan ‘Kiko’ Reyes
Joe Frittitta
Juan ‘Kiko’ Reyes
Lehman
CSI
CSI
Lehman
Lehman
CSI
Lehman
John Jay
Lehman
Pitcher of the Year
Mike Cosumano
Kevin Crombie
Michael Cortazzo
Mike McInnis
Ramon Pena
Marcus Rodriguez
Brian Burik
School
CSI
CSI
Lehman
John Jay
Baruch
John Jay
John Jay
Frank Sansonetti
Eric Sorensen
Frank Sansonetti
CSI
John Jay
CSI
John Testa
Rich Pasquale
John Urrico
CSI
CSI
CSI
Robert Benjamin
Miguel Jaquez
Miguel Jaquez
Miguel Jaquez
Stephen Hillmann
James DeCesare
Seth Nowakowski
Richard Gomez
Baruch
John Jay
John Jay
John Jay
John Jay
John Jay
Mitchell
CCNY
Peter Park
Nick Secchini
Nick Secchini
Nick Secchini
Rob Motacki
John Dobkowski
Salvatore Messina
Jeremy Chapman
Baruch
CSI
CSI
CSI
NJCU
John Jay
Mitchell
Mitchell
cunyac tournament champions (1983-2008)
Year
Champion
Record (CUNY) Runner-up
Score
Stadium
Winning Coach
1983
John Jay
n/a
Queens
17-5
n/a
Lou DeMartino
1984
John Jay
n/a
Lehman
11-6 Shea
Lou DeMartino
1985
John Jay
n/a
Lehman
11-5 Shea
Lou DeMartino
1986
Staten Island
17-12
John Jay
4-2 Shea
Matt Rozzi
1987
Lehman
25-8 (8-0)
Staten Island
4-3 Shea
Nick Nikou
1988
Staten Island
14-15 (7-1)
John Jay
4-3 Shea
Matt Rozzi
1989
Lehman
18-10 (8-2)
Staten Island
9-4 Shea
Michael Fleischer
1990
Staten Island
26-5 (9-1)
John Jay
5-2 Shea
Fran Hirschy
1991
Lehman
18-8
Staten Island
7-5 Shea
Michael Fleischer
1992
Staten Island
29-7
Lehman
14-10
Queens
Fran Hirschy
1993
Staten Island
15-9
Lehman
5-1 Yankee
Fran Hirschy
1994
CCNY
10-12 (2-2)
Lehman
7-3
St. John’s
Basil Tarasko
1995
Lehman
21-13 (3-1)
Staten Island
5-0
Yankee
Steve Macias
1996
John Jay 21-13 (7-1)
Staten Island
5-4
Yankee
Lou DeMartino
1997
Staten Island
26-13 (5-1)
John Jay
10-7
CSI
Bill Cali
1998
Staten Island
20-11 (6-0)
John Jay
6-2
Lehman
Bill Cali
1999
John Jay
19-12 (5-1)
Staten Island
12-9
CSI Lou DeMartino
2000
Staten Island
20-11 (4-2)
Lehman
5-4
CSI
Bill Cali
2001
Baruch
17-16 (3-3)
Staten Island
5-3
Yankee
Scott Losche
2002
John Jay
9-24 (2-4)
Staten Island 9-8 (10 inn.) CSI
Dan Palumbo
2003
Staten Island
20-16 (5-1)
Lehman
9-3
CSI
Bill Cali
2004
Staten Island
14-15 (8-2)
John Jay
10-8
CSI
Bill Cali
2005
Staten Island
14-24 (11-5) New Jersey City
5-4
NYSEG
Bill Cali
2006
Staten Island
24-16 (14-4) John Jay
7-4, 9-7
CSI
Bill Cali
2007
John Jay
27-15 (16-2) CCNY
9-7
CSI
Dan Palumbo
2008
Staten Island
22-10 (11-4) John Jay
8-7
CSI
Bill Cali
Most Valuable Player
none selected
none selected
none selected
none selected
Nelson Fernandez
Victor Reich
Mickey Garcia
Kevin Crombie
Tom Tierney
Willie Diaz
Paul Ambrus &
Anthony Formica Lernie Lozada
Juan Coronado
Joe Frittitta
Jason Anarumo
John Testa
James Priest
Tom Consolmagno
Peter Park
Mike Ramirez
Eric Zinke
Chris Hemmes
Mike Liconti
Anthony Piccirillo
Tim Murphy
Eric Waldhelm
School
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Lehman
CSI
Lehman
CSI
CSI
Lehman
CSI
CSI
CCNY
Lehman
John Jay
CSI
CSI
John Jay
CSI
Baruch
John Jay
CSI
CSI
CSI
CSI
John Jay
CSI
John Jay’s Massoni, Nastasi Pick Up ABCA All-Region Honors
Postseason awards are continuing to come in the direction of John Jay baseball standouts Chris Nastasi (Bayville, NY
/ IMG Academy) and John Massoni (Staten Island, NY / St.
Peter’s Boys) as the two City University of New York Athletic
Conference (CUNYAC) first team All-Stars have both been
named New York Region ABCA/Rawlings All-Stars for the
2008 baseball season. Nastasi was named to the second team,
while Massoni earned a spot on the third team.
Nastasi had an incredible season for the Bloodhounds,
who finished 24-19 and made the CUNYAC championship
game for the third year in a row. The Division I (St. Joseph’s)
transfer led the team in batting average (.428), homeruns (6),
total bases (113) and slugging percentage (.681), while sharing
the team lead in triples (7) and leading CUNYAC in hits (71)
and RBI (57). He belted two home runs in the same inning
when he lifted a pair in a 25-4 win over Yeshiva on Mar. 13,
and had a multiple hit games in 21 contests, including six in
a 6-for-7, seven RBI performance in a 24-12 win over Baruch
on Mar. 30.
Massoni, a two time CUNYAC All-Star, finished
third on the squad in batting average (.369), while scoring a
team-high 50 runs. Another former Division I (Long Island
University) standout, he led CUNYAC in doubles (20), while
finishing second on the Bloodhounds in homeruns (3), RBI
(56), slugging percentage (.568) and total bases (100). He
ripped a homerun to right field in the top of the tenth inning
of John Jay’s 14-12 win over the College of Staten Island in
the winner’s bracket game in which they trailed 12-3 heading
into the seventh inning.
cuny results in the ncaa
division iii championships
1991
New York Regional
1992
New York Regional
1996
New York Regional
Ithaca 8, Staten Island 7
Staten Island 6, St. Lawrence 5
Staten Island 8, Montclair State 3
Staten Island 11, Ithaca 8
Ithaca 6, Staten Island 3
Staten Island 2, Rensselaer 0
Staten Island 5, Ithaca 3
Ithaca 5, Staten Island 1
Ithaca 7, Staten Island 3
Rensselaer 6, John Jay 2
Oswego State 2, John Jay 1
Chris Nastasi (left) and John Massoni were cited on
the ABCA's All-New York Region
second and third team, respectively
cuny results in the ecac
metro ny/nj championships
1982 Semifinals
Brooklyn 17, John Jay 4
Final
New Jersey Tech 10, Brooklyn 8
1984 Semifinals
New Jersey Tech 12, John Jay 2
1986 First Round
Kean 6, Staten Island 2
John Jay 9, Jersey City 3
Kean 12, John Jay 1
Semifinals
Jersey City 6, Staten Island 5
Kean 5, John Jay 4
1989 Semifinals
Lehman 16, Drew 6
Staten Island 5, Upsala 2
Final
Lehman 9, Staten Island 3
1991 Semifinals
Staten Island 18, Ramapo 5
Kean 8, Lehman 5
Final
Staten Island 6, Kean 3
1996 SemifinalsLehman 4, Mount St. Mary 3
Staten Island 15, John Jay 10
Final
Lehman 11, Staten Island 10
1997 Semifinals
Mount St. Mary 11, Staten Island 5
St. Joseph’s 13, John Jay 12
1999 Semifinals
Drew 10, Staten Island 5
SUNY-Old Westbury 9, John Jay 8
2000 Semifinals
Staten Island 11, Drew 0
Final
Staten Island 9, FDU-Madison 3
2002
Semifinals
FDU-Madison 18, Staten Island 5
2003
Semifinals
FDU-Florham 7, Staten Island 2
2006
Semifinals
John Jay 11, Manhattanville 7
Final
Rutgers-Newark 10, John Jay 4
2007
Semifinals
Richard Stockton 10, John Jay 2
baseball 2008