(Highland, NY) - Upon his return to the Westchester Community College Baseball team for the 2019 season, it was clear that sophomore Steve Guzman (Bronx, NY/JFK HS) was going to be called upon to do an awful lot if the Vikings were going to avoid a rebuilding year after graduating one of the finest sophomore classes in program history at the end of last season's run to a fifth consecutive Region XV Championship. And while Guzman has been every bit the force the Vikings have expected of him since the opening pitch of the season, it was on Monday afternoon that he made every play he needed to make when the Vikings needed it the most. Guzman went a combined 3 for 5 with his first home run of the 2019 season, five walks, three RBI's, three runs scored - and played his finest defensive game of the season at shortstop - as Westchester swept a doubleheader against Ulster Community College, 12-7 and 6-3.

With their sixth and seventh consecutive wins, Westchester is now 20-9 overall, 7-5 in Region XV and Mid Hudson Conference play, and on quite a roll since opening conference and region play with five consecutive losses. The wins also mark at least 10 straight seasons with 20 or more wins for Westchester Community College.

The opener saw Westchester score six runs during the top of the first inning and never look back as both Guzman and CJ Spence (Mount Vernon, NY/Mount Vernon HS) went deep. The Vikings combined for 12 runs on 11 hits as Guzman went 2 for 3 with three RBI's and two runs scored, Spence went 2 for 5 with two RBI's and a run scored, and sophomores Steve Messerschmitt (Carmel, NY/Carmel HS) and Sean Vanegas (Bronx, NY/Mount Saint Michael) had two hits apiece. Vanegas also drove in two runs for the Vikings, who were the beneficiaries of 13 walks.

Freshman Hector Camacho (Harrison, NY/Harrison HS) improved to 3-2 for the 2019 season, allowing five earned runs over five innings, and striking out five. Freshmen Optaciano Polo (Yonkers, NY/Cardinal Hayes) and Michael Cox (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas HS) combined to throw four innings of near-perfect relief, allowing only one run along the way.
 

The nightcap was a thriller as Westchester trailed 3-1 at the end of the first inning, tied the game during the top of the second inning, and scored a run during the fourth inning and two more during the seventh inning to collect the win. However, Ulster had every opportunity to storm ahead during the bottom of the fifth inning when the Senators (12-13. 3-6 Region XV) loaded the bases with no outs against Cox, who came on in relief. A line-drive was smoked up the middle and appeared destined to give Ulster the lead, but Guzman made perhaps the defensive play of the year for the Vikings, diving to make the catch, and firing a strike to third base for the double-play. One batter later, and the Vikings escaped with their lead intact.

Aside from Guzman's defensive heroics, pitching and defense were the story of the game for WCC. Sophomore Luis Gomez (Bronx, NY/St. Raymond's) allowed three runs during the bottom of the first inning, only one of which was earned, and then settled in, not allowing another run during the next three innings. Cox then came in and completely shut the door, pitching three innings and allowing no runs on one hit while striking out four and not walking a batter to earn the win, and improve his record to 4-3 for the 2019 season.

Freshman Aaron Roman (Pelham, NY/Pelham HS) went 2 for 4 with an RBI, while Spence had two RBI's, and freshman Jhojandy Hernandez (Bronx, NY/Salesian) knocked his second home run of the season. Overall, nine Vikings combined for 10 hits.

Westchester Community College returns to action on Thursday, April 25 when the Vikings continue Region XV/Mid Hudson Conference play with a trip to Dutchess Community College for a 3:30 p.m. single game. The teams will do the same on Friday, before squaring off for a noon doubleheader at Westchester Community College on Saturday, April 27.