Box Score (Valhalla, NY) - A year from now, Jose Delacruz (New York, NY/George Washington HS) will take the mound for Manhattan College with the hopes to help lead the Jaspers to MAAC supremacy. On Thursday, the Westchester Community College sophomore did just about everything else brilliantly to lead the Vikings to their most improbable win of the season, an 8-5 comeback triumph over Sullivan Community College. With the win, the Vikings are now 19-9 overall and 11-2 in both the Mid Hudson Conference and Region XV.

More importantly, WCC clinched a spot in the upcoming NJCAA Region XV Championships.

For much of the game, a win did not seem to be in the cards for Westchester. Facing a Sullivan squad that has had a tough start to the 2018 campaign, it was the visiting Generals who struck early, scoring unearned runs during the first and second innings to grab the lead. Thanks to Sullivan pitcher Leonel De La Rosa, Sullivan seemed to be completely in command as the sophomore did not allow a hit until the fourth inning, and struck out 10 Westchester batters.

However, once De La Rosa ran out of steam, the Westchester bats came alive. Delacruz singled home Christian Lovecchio (North White Plains, NY/Valhalla HS) in the fourth inning to make it a 2-1 game. Down 3-1 in the sixth inning, Westchester broke the game open, scoring four runs to take a 5-3 lead. Bobby Wootten (Ardsley, NY/Ardsley HS) opened the scoring as he crossed home plate on a walk. CJ Sager (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac HS) then tied the game at three when he scored on a balk.

Scottie Giordano (Croton-on-Hudson, NY/Croton HS) then brought home two runs with a single to make it a 5-3 lead.

In the seventh inning, Steve Messerschmitt (Carmel, NY/Carmel HS) came on to pitch in relief of Nick Cona (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas HS), who gave WCC six strong innings on the mound, and pitched out of a jam to maintain the lead. In the bottom of the frame, Delacruz rewarded Messerschitt's efforts with a two-run home run to give WCC a 7-3 lead. The Vikings scored one more run in the either inning when Lovecchio scored James Houlahan  (Yorktown Heights, NY/Lakeland HS) on a sacrifice fly to make it 8-3.

Sullivan scored twice during the top of the ninth to make it closer, but the Vikings secured the win.

Delacruz had three hits, three RBI's and two runs scored, and would have been 4 for 4 had he not been retired on a slick Sullivan defensive play during the second inning. He also made an incredible fielding play of his own in the third inning, diving to his right to prevent a sharply hit Sullivan ball from going up the middle to the outfield for a hit, and making a strong through to first base for the out.

Also for Westchester, Giordano went 2 for 5 with two RBI's, Lovecchio had two hits, and Sean Vanegas (Bronx, NY/Mount Saint Michael) went 1 for 2 with two walks.

Cona picked up his fourth win of the season, pitching six innings, allowing only one earned run, while out five, including a strike out of the sides in the sixth inning. Messerschitt allowed only two hits over the final three winnings, while striking out two, to earn his first save of the 2018 season.

Westchester and Sullivan are slated to play their second game of the four-game series on Friday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m. at Viking Field. With a poor weather day expected, updates regarding the game's status will be posted on all WCC Athletic Department social media.