Winter Haven, FL - The Vikings hot bats made their way down to Florida to open up the RussMatt Invitational Tournament with two wins over Prairie State College 20-12 and 12-8. Westchester improves to 11-2 on the year.

Game 1: 20-12 Win

The Pioneers (1-4) would get on the board first with a two nothing lead in the top of the first thanks to a bases loaded walk and a sac fly. Westchester would answer right back with Gavin Carlucci (Walter Panas HS/Garrison, NY) stealing home on a delayed steal from Matt Antolino (Fox Lane HS/Bedford, NY). Trailing by one run heading into the top of the second, starting pitcher Thomas Browne (Pleasantville HS/Pleasantville, NY) would strikeout the side giving the Vikings an opportunity make a comeback. In the top of the third, Michael Ambrosecchia (Mahopac HS/Mahopac, NY) came up with a huge two-out, two RBI double to put SUNY Westchester up by one. Carlucci would get in on the mix with an RBI base hit to extend the Vikings lead by two. Not to be outdone, Tommy Poggi (Briarcliff HS/Briarcliff, NY) continued his hot hitting by launching a three-run homerun over the left field fence in the second solidifying Westchester's lead. The Vikings bats would explode in the bottom half of the third thanks to a two RBI double from Anthony Dolce (North Salem HS/North Salem, NY), a two RBI base hit from Frias, a two RBI base hit from Antolino and a two RBI double from Ryan Osso (Eastchester HS/Eastchester, NY). Westchester would go on to eventually win 20-12 thanks to Antolino's four RBI game. Starting pitcher Thomas Browne would earn his third victory of the year.


Game 2: 12-8 Win

Just like in game one, Antolino would keep the Viking offense flowing. Starting off in the top of the first, Matt would put Westchester on the board with an RBI double. Prairie State would answer right back with a run of their own in the bottom of the first thanks to a RBI single off of starting pitcher Thomas Mark (Brewster HS/Patterson, NY). In the top of the second inning Luisbert Frias (Port Chester HS/Port Chester, NY) roped an RBI single to give back the lead to Westchester. Marc Stockhausen (St. Raymond's HS/Bronx, NY) and Weston Baronian (Pascack Valley HS/Rivervale, NJ) would get in on the action with an RBI double each. The Pioneers would take the lead in the bottom of the third thanks to a six-run half inning. Stockhausen and Baronian would put the team on their backs after that by getting in four of the next six runs before a huge two-run homerun from Frias to lock in the Vikings twelfth run of the game.

On the day, Westchester's offense was lead by Antolino who went five for six and five RBI's.



The Vikings look to continue their hot start with two games tomorrow against Itasca Community College (9:30am) and fourth ranked Niagara Community College (3:30pm) at Lake Bonney Park in Lakeland, FL.