By Steven M. Glassman
Director of Sports Information
May 2, 2019
BLUE BELL, PA—Region XIX Division III Camden County College (26-16 Overall, 12-9 Region XIX Division III) scored eight runs in the bottom of the third and hold off a late Blue Jay comeback attempt as the Cougars defeated Manor College (5-20, 3-10), 14-11.
The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the first, scoring four runs. Freshman center fielder Shawn Vega (Philadelphia, PA/Olney Charter) opened the game with a lead-off double to right versus Cougars freshman starting pitcher Christian Mangione. Sophomore shortstop Jose Romero's (Philadelphia, PA/Frankford) single to center advanced Vega to third. Sophomore catcher Hector Morales' (Philadelphia, PA/Esperanza Charter) double to center scored Vega and Romero. Sophomore right fielder Cristian Diaz' (Philadelphia, PA/Franklin Towne Charter) single to center moved Morales to third. Morales scored on a freshman catcher Anthony Buffone passed ball. Diaz stole second. Sophomore starting pitcher Sauriel Baez (Philadelphia, PA/Esperanza Charter) (1-2) walked. Sophomore first baseman Jorge Reyes' (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) ground out to second advanced Diaz to third and Baez second with one out. Freshman left fielder Alex Bautista's (Philadelphia, PA/Swenson Arts & Technology) single to right scored Diaz and moved Baez to third.
The Cougars responded with four runs in the bottom half. Camden County scored its runs on a none-out RBI single by freshman left fielder John Ritchie and a one-out, bases-clearing double by sophomore second baseman Dante Serchia.
Manor retook the lead with three runs in the second, scoring three times. Sophomore second baseman Abdur Mujahid (Philadelphia, PA/Boys Latin) led getting hit by a pitch and moving to second on a wild pitch. Romero's one-out single to right advanced Mujahid to third. Romero stole second and scored on Morales' double to left. Mangione was replaced by freshman Andrew Rodriguez (1-0). Baez's two-out single to left moved Diaz to third. Reyes' single to center scored Diaz.
Camden County took the lead for good in the bottom of the third. Scoring eight two-out runs and sending 11 to bat in the inning. Among the run-scoring plays in the inning were on a RBI single by Buffone and a two-run double by Serchia. The Cougars led 12-7 after three innings.
The Blue Jays scored once in the fifth. Reyes led off the inning with a double to center. Bautista single to center moved Reyes to third. Freshman third baseman Eddie Colon (Philadelphia, PA/Olney Charter) ground ball double play scored Reyes.
The Cougars scored a run in the seventh on a none-out RBI single by Ritchie.
Manor closed the gap to 13-11 in the top of the eighth, scoring three runs off of sophomore Alex Pierznik. Vega walked with one out and advanced to second on a Romero walk. Morales' RBI single to center scored Vega and moved Romero to third. Morales stole second and scored along with Romero on Diaz' single to right.
Camden County closed out its scoring with a two-out run in the eighth.
Batting Leaders: Vega doubled, walked, and scored two runs. Romero went two-for-four, with three runs scored. Morales went four-for-five (including two doubles), three runs scored, and four RBI. Diaz went two-for-five with two RBI. Baez singled and walked. Reyes went two-for-five (including a double). Bautista went two-for-five for the Blue Jays.
Freshman right fielder Jorge Liriano stole three bases and scored two runs. Sophomore shortstop Ryan Swift went three-for-four with three runs scored, walked twice, and stole four bases. Ritchie went four-for-six (including a double), with two runs scored and two RBI. Sophomore third baseman Elias Agostini walked twice and scored two runs. Serchia went three-for-five (including two doubles) with five RBI. Sophomore first baseman Fox Wagner walked two times. Sophomore center fielder Robin Santos contributed two walks, scored two runs, and stole four bases for the Cougars.
Pitching Leaders: Baez started the game. Freshman Briant Loya (Philadelphia, PA/Parkway Center City), and Diaz pitched in relief for the Blue Jays.
Mangione started. Rodriguez and Pierznik pitched in relief. Sophomore William Lintner picked up his fourth save of the season for the Cougars.
Next Game: Manor hosts its final home games of the regular season in a doubleheader versus Region XIX Division III Bergen Community College at Lighthouse Field on Saturday, May 4 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Noon. The Blue Jays were swept in a road doubleheader on April 15, 2018 in Paramus, New Jersey, 30-2 and 15-14. This will also be the final home game for the following seven Blue Jay sophomores: Baez, Diaz, catcher Abimael Mercado (Philadelphia, PA/Juan Ponce De Leon [PR]), Morales, Mujahid, Reyes, and Romero.