Valhalla, NY - Thursday saw the opening round of the 2023 NJCAA Division II Region 15 Playoffs at Vikings Field in front of a fantastic crowd and it did not disappoint. The Vikings took home an 8-5 comeback win over the fourth-seeded Falcons of Dutchess Community College putting them into the winners bracket of the double elimination tournament and 41-8 overall on the year.


Dutchess, would start the game hot scoring five runs in the first three innings of the ballgame off of starting pitcher Ryan Osso (Eastchester HS/Eastchester, NY). Osso, who would come out in the bottom of the fifth, would give the ball to Michael Cox (Walter Panas HS/Cortlandt Manor, NY) to try and minimize the Falcons offense. Over Cox's four and two-thirds work, Mike shutdown DCC's offense giving up four hits, striking out five, and not allowing a run or a walk. His stellar relief performance gave the Viking offense the opportunity for their comeback.


It would all happen in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs down 5-1. Westchester's offense would finally explode with seven runs while batting around the line-up. The Vikings were led by Region 15 Player-of-the-Year Luisbert Frias (Port Chester HS/Port Chester, NY) and First Team selection Tommy Poggi (Briarcliff HS/Briarcliff, NY) who both would go two for five and had two RBI's at the dish. The rest of the Viking offense would record a hit on the day with Weston Baronian (Pascack Valley HS/River Vale, NJ) adding two RBI's and Gavin Carlucci (Walter Panas HS/Garrison, NY) adding a triple.


SUNY WCC will now take on the winner of the other opening round game SUNY Sullivan, who defeated Rockland CC 14-10, at 1pm today at host Rockland. The winner of the game will advance to the championship game on Saturday whereas the loser will play at 4pm today against the winner of the 10am Dutchess vs. Rockland game. All games will be streamed via SUNY Rockland Athletics YouTube page.