Baseball Sweeps GNAC Doubleheader Against Albertus Magnus on Monday

GAME ONE | USJ 7, ALBERTUS 2

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Albertus struck first in the top of the first inning as Eric Galarza singled up the middle to give the visitors a 1–0 lead.
• USJ answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Freshman infielder Sam Balducci (South Windsor, Conn.) delivered a two‑run double down the left‑field line, scoring senior outfielder Ryan Quinn (Middletown, Conn.) and sophomore infielder Jack Kane (West Hartford, Conn.) to give the Blue Jays a 2–1 advantage.
• Balducci added to the lead in the third inning, reaching on a fielder's choice to drive in his third run of the game and make it 3–1.
• The Falcons pulled within one in the fourth when Galarza launched a solo home run to right field, cutting the deficit to 3–2.
• USJ seized control in the fifth inning. Kane blasted a two‑run home run to extend the lead to 5–2, and moments later, senior outfielder Dom Scalia (Northford, Conn.) followed with an opposite‑field solo shot to push the advantage to 6–2.
• Scalia later drew a bases‑loaded walk in the sixth inning to cap the scoring and secure the 7–2 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Kane led the offense with three hits, two RBI, and three runs scored.
• Balducci drove in a team‑high three RBI.
• Sophomore pitcher Aaron LaRose (Williston, Vt.) improved to 5–0, allowing four hits and two runs over 4.1 innings while striking out three.
• Sophomore pitcher Marcus Tarfano (Southington, Conn.) recorded his GNAC‑leading seventh save, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings with one hit allowed and one strikeout.

GAME TWO | USJ 3, ALBERTUS 2

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Blue Jays jumped out early once again, as Scalia lined an RBI single to right field in the first inning, scoring senior infielder JJ Fox (Killingworth, Conn.) for a 1–0 lead.
• Albertus evened the score in the third inning on a solo home run by Alex Perez.
• The Falcons took their first lead of the game in the fourth as Brayden Hastings delivered an RBI single to make it 2–1.
• USJ responded in the sixth inning when senior infielder Ryan Shaw (Ellington, Conn.) executed a perfectly placed safety squeeze to bring home Balducci and tie the game at 2–2.
• In the seventh, the Blue Jays took the lead for good as Quinn lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring junior infielder Tyler Carlstrom (Rocky Hill, Conn.) to make it 3–2.
• Tarfano shut the door in the final innings, securing the sweep with two scoreless frames to earn his eighth save of the season.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Scalia led the offense with two hits and an RBI.
• Junior pitcher Kaden Murphy (Woodstock, Conn.) delivered a strong outing, earning his second win of the season after tossing seven innings, allowing just two runs and striking out two.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays return to the diamond on Thursday, April 23, traveling to face Wheaton College in a midweek non‑conference matchup. First pitch between USJ and the Lyons is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at James V. Sidell Stadium in Norton, Mass.

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