Juricich Tosses Two-Hitter in Win Over UMPI, Bears Fall to Ramapo

MAHWAH, NJ – Senior Keith Juricich (San Mateo, CA/Serra) tossed a complete-game two-hitter to the lead the St. Joseph's College baseball team to a 5-1 AD3I victory over University of Maine – Presque Isle on Saturday afternoon at Ramapo College.  The Bears dropped the nightcap to host Ramapo 11-1.

St. Joseph's victory in the opener snaps a three-game skid and the Bears improve to 3-7 overall.  UMPI falls to 2-10 and Ramapo moves to 7-5, with Ramapo defeating UMPI earlier in the day.

In his first start of the season, Juricich (1-0) struck out a career-high eight batters and his only run was unearned.  Juricich has not given up an earned run in 12 innings of work this season.

For the series, Kevin Diaz (Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell) knocked three hits, including his third home run of the season.  Jon Mendez (Brooklyn, NY/Xaverian) accumulated three hits with an RBI.  Alvaro Quinones (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin) had two hits, driving in three runs.  Anthony Langone (Staten Island, NY/Moore Catholic) had a pair of hits and runs with a stolen base.  Joseph Boccia (Westwood, NJ/Westwood) scored twice and stole two bases.

St. Joseph's returns to action on the west coast, travelling to Atherton, CA for a five-game road trip at the Menlo College Tournament from April 1-3.  The Bears' home game against CCNY scheduled for Monday has been postponed due to a scoreboard problem at MCU Park.

Game 1 – St. Joseph's 5, Maine-Presque Isle 1

Juricich remained in total control on the mound, pitching a perfect game through 11 batters.  Tyler Delaney (Truro, NS) spoiled the game with a single to center in the fourth inning.  Cody Humphrey (New Gloucester, ME) got the only other hit for the Owls in the fifth inning with a one-out single and later scored after two infield errors prolonged the inning.  Juricich shut down UMPI over the final two innings retiring the side in order.

St. Joseph's jumped on UMPI starter Corey Harding (Plymouth, ME) scoring two runs in the first.  Boccia was hit by a pitch to lead off, stole second and scored the next batter when Quinones singled to left.  Chris Davidson (San Carlos, CA/Carlmont) doubled, putting runners at second and third after Mendez reached on a fielder's choice.  A Joe Harten (Staten Island, NY/Moore Catholic) sacrifice fly brought in Mendez for the Bears second run.

The Bears added two more runs in the second, Langone singling to lead off the inning and driven in from third by Quinones later in the inning.  Boccia, who reached on a fielder's choice, scored his second run of the game on a Mendez sacrifice fly.

St. Joseph's added another insurance run in the fourth with Quinones delivering a two-out single to score Langone for the second time, who led off with a walk.

Quinones led the Bears at the plate finishing 2-for-3 with three RBI.

Game 2 – Ramapo 11, St. Joseph's 1

Ramapo scored two runs off starter Chris Coffey (Brooklyn, NY/St. Edmund's) in the first inning picking up four straight hits to lead off the game.  The Roadrunners broke open the game in the second frame plating five runs, all unearned and coming with two outs. Joey Cacchiola (Union, NJ/Union) and Dan Moreno (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) each drove in two runs in the inning.

St. Joseph's scored their lone run in the second on a solo shot by Diaz, the game's only home run.  Despite combining for nine hits for the game, the Bears left eight runners on base and reached third base once on the Diaz homer.

Ramapo added a single tally in the third and scored three runs in the fifth to put the game out of reach.

Coffey (0-1) took the loss going three innings, giving up eight hits and eight runs (three earned).

Michael Murano (Brick, NJ/Brick) earned the win for Ramapo, improving to 3-0, giving up eight hits, one run and striking out two in five innings of work.  Cacchiola led the Roadrunners with a 3-for-4 performance, with four RBI and two runs scored.