McKenna Powers the Offense as Baseball Grabs a Doubleheader Split against NYU

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) baseball could not hold an early lead, losing to New York University, 15-3 in game one, but were victorious, 10-1, in game two to salvage a doubleheader split Saturday afternoon at MCU Park.

Senior Thomas McKenna (Bellrose, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) led the Bears (11-12) on the offensive end compiling five hits over the double dip, including a three-run home run, with three runs batted in and two runs scored. He know improves his team-leading batting average to .384 on the season.

Chris Cutrone (Levittown, N.Y./Island Trees) and Brian Luebcke (Astoria, N.Y./Monsignor McClancy) each scored three runs on the day.  Cutrone connected on six total hits, including four in game one, to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Luebcke also dazzled on the mound, pitching a complete game in game two, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out eight batters to improve to 3-1 on the season.

CJ Picerni and Scott Hilbrandt both tallied three runs batted in for the Violets (9-18), all in the first game victory. David Wagner added three hits, three runs and two RBI. Pitcher Chase Denison grabbed the win in the first game, scattering 10 hits on two earned runs for his second win on the season.

St. Joseph's kicked off game one with two first-inning runs on a Luebcke RBI single and a Nicholas LoPrinzi (Howard Beach, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) sacrifice fly. The Violets grabbed a run in the bottom of the second, and then knocked in four runs on three singles in the third to go up 5-2. The Bears would load the bases in the next three innings, but were only able to score one run on a fielding error.

The Violets would pour on the runs in the final three innings of play, scoring two in the fourth, three in the fifth and five runs in the fifth inning. NYU would induce a one-two-three seventh inning to close out the win.

In game two, both teams went scoreless for the first two innings. St. Joseph's would tally two runs in the top of the third on a Luebcke RBI groundout and McKenna coming home on a wild pitch. 

The top of the fifth saw the Bears extend their lead on McKenna scoring for the second time on a wild pitch, Luebcke scoring on a balk call and a Domenick Camerada (Staten Island, N.Y./Monsignor Farrell) run-scoring single as they went up 5-0.

McKenna would then continue to pad the team's lead with a three-run home run in the sixth. Luebcke would score his third run of the game on an error off a Cutrone groundball, then Cutrone would come home on a double play to cap off a five-run frame.

Meanwhile, Luebcke was also rolling on the mound not allowing a run through the sixth inning. NYU would tack on a run in the seventh, but it would not be enough as the Bears closed out the victory.

Up next, St. Joseph's finishes their five-game stretch over the weekend looking to reach the .500 mark when they go on the road to face CUNYAC foe Staten Island in a doubleheader tomorrow. First pitch of game one starts at 12:00 p.m. Live stats and audio will be available on SJCBears.com.