Box Score (Valhalla, NY) - James Houlahan (Yorktown Heights, NY/Lakeland HS) had three hits, two stolen bases, and four RBI's, and Nick Cona (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas HS) pitched a complete-game gem as the Westchester Community College Baseball team won for the seventh time during its last nine games, opening a four-game series with Dutchess Community College with a 12-0 rout of the Falcons on Wednesday at Viking Stadium, With the win, the Vikings improve to 15-9 overall, and 7-2 in both Region XV and Mid-Hudson Conference play.

Houlahan batted during each of the first four innings as the Vikings enjoyed one of their best offensive games of the season. The freshman singled in the first inning to move Scottie Giordano (Croton, NY/Croton-Harmon HS) into scoring position. After a double-steal moved Giordano to third base and Houlahan to second base, Paul Franzese (Somers, NY/Somers HS) singled home Giordano for a 1-0 lead.

After Cona pitched out of a jam with two strike outs to open the second inning, the Vikings blew the game open at the bottom of the second, scoring five times to make it a 5-0 game. A single and two walks opened the inning to load the bases, and a Giordano single scored Jose Delacruz (New York, NY/George Washington HS) to make it 2-0. Then Houlahan knocked in two more runs to make it 4-0. The scoring ended when Franzese singled home Giordano for a 5-0 lead, and a Christian Lovecchio (North White Plains, NY/Valhalla HS) fielder's choice brought home Houlahan for the 6-0 advantage.

A 1-2-3 top of the third inning led to two more Viking runs during the bottom of the frame, highlighted by a two-run Houlahan single that scored Sean Vanegas (Bronx, NY/Mount St. Michael) and Giordano to make it 8-0.

The bottom of the fourth inning saw the Vikings send 10 batters to the plate, scoring four runs for the 12-0 edge. The key hit was a two-run bases loaded double by Sergio Osorio (North White Plains, NY/Valhalla HS). 

Overall, Westchester combined for 13 hits and five stolen bases. Giordano had three hits, a walk, two stolen bases, two RBI's, and three runs scored. Franzese had two hits, a walk, and an RBI. Delacruz added two hits and two runs scored, and Vanegas went 1 for 1 with two walks, two stolen bases, and two runs scored.

While it was a stellar offensive game for WCC, it was still Cona that stole the show. The sophomore pitched his best game of the season, going the distance to even his season record at 3-3. He allowed only two hits, walked one batter, and struck out three.

The Westchester-Dutchess series continues on Friday, April 20 when the Vikings host the Falcons for a 4:00 p.m. single game.