(Valhalla, NY) - Freshman Tyler Parshley (Carmel, NY/Carmel HS) and sophomore Steve Messerschmitt (Carmel, NY/Carmel HS) had three hits apiece over two games, and sophomore Steve Guzman (Bronx, NY/John F. Kennedy HS) reached base five times, but the Westchester Community College Baseball team ended the 2019 regular season by losing 19-9 and 9-1 to Sullivan Community College during a season-ending doubleheader at Westchester CC on Tuesday, May 7. With the losses, the Vikings conclude the regular season with a 23-14 overall record, and a 10-10 ledger in Region XV and Mid Hudson Conference play.

The opener was a wild affair as the two teams combined for 28 runs, 32 hits, and 11 pitchers as the game lasted nearly four hours. The Vikings jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning after an Aaron Roman (Pelham, NY/Pelham HS) single brought home Guzman, and a Sullivan throwing error with the bases loaded allowed two more runs to score. However, from there, the Sullivan bats came to life as the Generals (21-21, 10-10) scored seven consecutive runs over the next two innings to take a 7-3 lead, and never looked back. Sullivan led 7-4 after three innings, 8-5 after four innings, and 9-6 after seven innings, but then scored 10 runs over the final two innings to secure the win.

Messerschmitt had a huge game, going 3 for 4 with two walks, an RBI, and three runs scored, while Roman, Parshley, and Chris Cipriano (Irvington, NY/Dobbs Ferry HS) had two hits apiece. Roman and freshman CJ Spence (Mount Vernon, NY/Mount Vernon HS) had two RBI's apiece.

Eight different pitchers took to the mound for the Vikings, and while they combined for 12 strike outs, they also walked a team season-high 19 batters, which was a huge factor in the loss. The lone pitching highlight for the Vikings was the play of freshman Octaciano Polo (Yonkers, NY/Cardinal Hayes). Less than a week after allowing seven earned runs over the course of a single inning against Sullivan, Polo pitched 3.2 gutsy innings on Thursday, allowing only two earned runs, while striking out six to keep things close for a while.

The nightcap was all Sullivan as the Generals scored seven runs over the first three innings, and cruised to a win that clinched the #2 seed for the upcoming Region XV playoffs. Westchester's run came during the third inning when freshman Michael Cox (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas HS) doubled, advanced to third base on a ground out, and scored when Messerschmitt grounded out to drive him in.

The Vikings also received an outstanding effort from their bullpen as Messerschmitt and freshman Jake Jempty (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas HS) combined to allow only six hits and two earned runs over four innings of work.

With the regular season now over, Westchester Community College will compete in the NJCAA Region XV Tournament, seeking its sixth consecutive region crown. The third-seeded Vikings will travel to second-seeded Sullivan Community College on Thursday, May 9 at a time to be determined to open the double-elimination tournament. After Thursday's game, the remainder of the playoffs will take place at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, NY. All game times will be posted at GoWCCVikings.com and on all Westchester CC Athletic Department social media vehicles.