(North East, MD) - Freshman Don Hopper (Garrison, NY/Walter Panas HS) drove in three runs, and sophomore Tyler Mandel (Scarsdale, NY/Scarsdale HS) capped off an impressive debut with the game-winning RBI as the Westchester Community College Baseball Team opened the 2020 season with a 10-7 win over Cecil College to close a doubleheader with a 1-1 record on Saturday afternoon at Cecil College. 

The nightcap was a thriller during blustery conditions at Cecil College as Cecil jumped out to a 4-0 lead at the end of the first inning, and appeared poised for a sweep before the Viking bats came alive midway through the game. Down 4-2 after three innings, Westchester CC scored four times in the top of the fourth inning, three of which came thanks to a bases load double by Hopper that cleared the bases to give Westchester a 6-4 lead. 

However, in the bottom of the frame, Cecil scored three runs of their own to regain the lead, and take a 7-6 advantage into the fifth inning.

Westchester tied the game in the top of the fifth inning, when a Brian McBride (Putnam Valley, NY/Putnam Valley HS) single brought home sophomore Jhojandy Hernandez (Bronx, NY/Salesian), setting up a huge top of the sixth inning when the Vikings plated three more runs to secure the win. A Mandel fielder's choice scored freshman Jace Deiulio (Mohegan Lake, NY/Lakeland HS) to put WCC ahead for good. Later in the inning, freshman Chris Polgano (Bronx, NY/St. Raymond's) single brought home Mandel and Brian Beehler (Pawling, NY/Pawling HS) to make it 10-7.

The insurance runs were enough for sophomore Jake Jempty (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas HS), who had some rough patches early during his first start of the season, but settled down to retire the final eight Cecil batters to secure the victory. 

Deiulio went 2 for 2 with a walk and three runs scored, while Hernandez scored twice. Seven Vikings combined for eight hits. Jempty allowed only six hits over seven innings, striking out four during a gutsy start that marked his first career complete game. 

The opener saw sophomore pitcher Hector Camacho (Harrison, NY/Harrison HS) cruise into the sixth inning with a 3-2 lead, but five Cecil College runs during the bottom of the sixth inning put the hosts ahead for good, and the Eagles won 7-3. Mandel went 3 for 3 with a walk, an RBI, and a run scored, while Hernandez and Beehler drove in a run apiece. Camacho pitched well during 5+ winnings, allowing only six hits, and striking out six. 

The two teams return to action on Sunday, March 1 for another noon doubleheader.