(Fort Pierce, Florida) – The weather is scorching in Fort Pierce, Florida, but nothing is hotter down South than the Mount Saint Vincent Baseball team, which has raced out to a 4-1 record during their Spring Break trip. At 6-1 overall, Mount Saint Vincent continues to play well beyond its second-year program status and with doubleheader sweeps of Delaware Valley and Hilbert College, and a close loss to Division II power Clarion, the Dolphins are proving to have the depth and talent to compete with the very best on their schedule.
Against Delaware Valley on Saturday, pitchers Jon O'Leary and Corey Kirsh combined on a four-hitter, and Tanner Munroe and Scott Taylor each went 2 for 4 as the Mount opened their Spring Break trip with a 7-2 win. The Dolphins racked up nine hits while allowing only four, and Kirsh struck out three Delaware Valley batters during his three inning relief stint.
The nightcap with Delaware Valley proved to be a thriller as the Dolphins picked up the doubleheader sweep as the Dolphins rallied for six runs during the bottom of the seventh (and final) inning to pull out the dramatic comeback. The Mount combined for 12 hit as Al Schor, Joe Utschig, and Josh Cuozzo each went 2 for 4 with an RBI apiece. The game was highlighted not only by the Mount's incredible comeback, but also an outstanding performance by pitcher Marco Giasullo who picked up the win in relief after pitching out of a bases-loaded, nobody out jam in the top of the seventh inning.
The excitement surrounding a dramatic sweep of Delaware Valley was tempered a bit on Sunday as the Mount lost for the first time this season, 8-6 to Clarion College, a very strong Division II program. The Mount's bats were on fire throughout the game as the Dolphins pounded out 11 hits and walked seven times. Seven of the Mount's 11 hits were compiled by Kirk Brancato (2 for 5), Josh Cuozzo (3 for 5), and Nick Triolo (2 for 5). Each also added an RBI.
The Mount's busy schedule continued Monday as the Dolphins swept Hilbert College, 3-2 and 11-2. Pitcher Scott Taylor was the story of the day as he pitched eight strong innings and allowed only one earned run and three hits wile striking out five. Joe Utschig and Tanner Munroe also had big days at the plate with Utschig going 3 for 4 with two runs scored and two stolen bases. Munroe was 1 for 3 with a double and an RBI.
The nightcap was all Mount Saint Vincent as the Dolphins improved to 6-1 with an 11-2 win. Pitcher Corey Kirsh threw a complete game, allowing only one earned run on five hits while striking out five and did not walk a single batter. Josh Cuozzo had a monster day, going 3 for 4 with a double, four RBI's and a run scored. Tanner Munroe also had a big game as he went 3 for 5 with a double, two RBI's, and two runs scored.
Mount Saint Vincent continues its Spring Break trip with five more games. The Dolphins play Utica College on Tuesday at 8:45 a.m., and then will face Kenyon College on Wednesday at 8:45 a.m. They also have single games on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as they will face Delaware Valley, St. Scholastica, and SUNY New Paltz, respectively.
