(North East, MD) - It would have been perfectly reasonable for Westchester Community College sophomore Tyler Mandel (Scarsdale, NY/Scarsdale HS) to experience a sophomore slump to begin the 2020 Baseball season. After missing most of his freshman campaign due to an untimely injury, Mandel was tasked with the challenge of battling his way all the way back into the Viking line-up before even worrying about production. And, if a sophomore slump, or any rustiness from the long lay-off was going to exist, it very well may have ended during the Fall or pre-season. Mandel was the hero once again on Sunday, as he continued his incredible start to the 2020 campaign, going 3 for 6 over two games with two home runs, three RBI's, three runs scored, and four walks as Westchester swept Cecil College, 9-6 and 8-3. With the wins, the Vikings headed home with a 3-1 record, an exceptional showing considering that the hosts had already played seven games coming in to the weekend's twin-bills.

The opener saw Westchester get on the board immediately, as Mandel - the third batter of the game - drilled his first home run of the season to left field, to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead. After Cecil scored one run in the second inning, and two in the third, to take a 3-1 lead, a pair of unearned runs by the Vikings in the top of the fourth inning tied the game 3-3.

It was the sixth inning when the game was blown wide open when the Vikings scored six times ... all of which came with two outs. Sophomore Jhohandy Hernandez (Bronx, NY/Salesian) did most of the damage, blasting a Grand Slam to put Westchester ahead 7-3. Two unearned runs later, and it was a 9-3 lead. Cecil scored three more times during the bottom of the seventh inning, but that was as close as the game would be.

Mandel and freshman Don Hopper (Garrison, NY/Walter Panas HS) had two hits apiece, while Mandel and sophomore Brian McBride (Putnam Valley, NY/Putnam Valley HS) scored two runs apiece. Sophomore Michael Cox (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas HS) allowed three runs over six innings, and struck out five.

Speaking of return from injury, the nightcap saw the return of sophomore pitcher Josh Rosario (Poughkeepsie, NY/Spackenkill HS), who also missed most of the 2019 campaign after an injury. After a tough start that saw Cecil score three times in the bottom of the second inning, Rosario was brilliant, allowing five hits over six innings, while striking out seven, and walking only two batter.

Down 3-0, Westchester quickly struck back. In the top of the third inning, Mandel's second home run of the day scored two runs to make it 3-2, and the game was tied moments later when a Ken Hernandez (New York, NY/CENAPEC) double scored sophomore Aaron Roman (Pelham, NY/Pelham HS).

Two innings later, the Vikings went ahead for good. A two-run home run by freshman Carlos Pardo (White Plains, NY/Stamford HS) made it 5-3, and the lead was extended to 7-3 as two unearned runs scored later in the inning. In the top of the sixth inning, sophomore Hailyn Gonzalez (Bronx, NY/Bronx Envision Academy) closed the scoring when he stole home as part of a double steal.

Seven different Vikings recorded one hit apiece, while Westchester was also aided by nine Viking walks.

Westchester CC returns to action for their 2020 home opener on Wednesday, March 4 when Westchester hosts Kingsborough Community College at 3:00 p.m.