Box Score - Game 1
Box Score - Game 2 

Purchase, NY (Apr. 26, 2014) – Purchase baseball did its part to secure the top seed in the Skyline Conference Tournament Saturday.
 
The Panthers needed to win both ends of a league doubleheader with Mount Saint Mary and have Old Westbury lose of its two games with Maritime. Purchase soundly defeated the Knights, winning game one, 5-3, and the second game of the twin bill, 6-0. Meanwhile, Old Westbury came from behind to topple Maritime in the opener of that doubleheader and was leading game two at presstime. Since the rival Panthers hold the tiebreaker, Old Westbury would host the tourney's semifinals and championship as the No. 1 seed. Purchase would also receive a bye in the quarterfinal as the No. 2 seed.   
 
Prior to the game, Sports Information Director Bobby Ciafardini presided over the program's annual Senior Day festivities. With friends and family joining the coaching staff around home plate, 11 seniors were recognized, receiving Senior Day certificates from the SID office. They will also be honored during the program's annual awards banquet on May 5 at the Performing Arts Center on campus.
 
Ciafardini praised pitcher Nick Lalli (SR/Bedford Hills, NY) for his flexibility as both a hurler and utility player, and his contributions to the team. Jonathan Lul (SR/Riverhead, NY) was recognized for his glove, leadership and captainship. The MC then welcomed Leandro Francisco (SR/Bedford Hills, NY), noting his multi-talents on the baseball diamond that included playing both the infield and outfield during his Panther career, while yielding a good stick at the plate.  
 
The ceremony continued with Aryn Giddens (SR/Queens, NY), who is having a senior season to remember. The speedy outfielder has been a bright spot for the first-place program. Starter Chris Nast (JR/Pound Ridge, NY), who pitched a shutout in a game-two win, has established himself as an elite starter. His catcher, captain John Jonas (SR/Goshen, NY) has been key behind the plate, working with the staff and anchoring the lineup with his veteran leadership. Closer Lucas Vaz (SR/Astoria, NY), a fellow captain, followed Jonas. Ciafardini said, "He has grown from a reliever into a closer."
 
The ceremony concluded with standout seniors Michael Skoller (SR/East Meadow, NY) and Michael Sarni (SR/Shelton, NY). Skoller was acknowledged for his leather on the left side of the infield and his patience at the plate, where he has been a tough out. Sarni, who recently collected his 100th career hit as a Panther, is closing in on other milestones (100 stolen bases, 100 runs scored) and was honored for his speed, glove and bat, all of which culminated into an All-Skyline distinction a year ago and likely another in 2014.
 
The final two seniors, Justin Sherman (SR/New Rochelle, NY) and Ronald Echavarria (SR/Bronx, NY), who could not make the ceremony, were also recognized. Echavarria, the reigning Skyline Player of the Year, and Sherman, the team's No. 3 hitter a season ago, have been valuable Panthers the last two years for the team during the program's finest two seasons.  
 
Giddens started the second game by robbing a potential extra base hit. Fueled by the defense, Sarni led off the bottom of the first by crushing a triple into deep center.
 
Skoller had an RBI single of his own, putting up the first run of the second game. Francisco smashed an RBI double to right to end the first inning with a 2-0 lead.
 
After a bit of a stumble out of the box, Skoller lined an RBI single, plating the game's third run.
 
The Panthers had the bases loaded in the bottom of the third, but could not convert that into any runs. They were, however, up 3-0 at that point.
 
In the next inning, Skoller nailed an RBI double, which led to a pitching change for MSMC. Andrew Conn took the mound for the Knights. In the bottom of the sixth, Michael Klien took Conn's place.
 
After Teofilo Ramirez (SO/Queens, NY) stole second, Giddens had a single to left field. He then stole second. A Sarni double to left center brought in two more, making the score 6-0. The Knights had their third pitching change of the game, bringing in Silverio Santiago for the remainder.
 
The Panthers closed the game with a 7-7-4 double play as the runner tried to advance.
 
Purchase started the first game by walking two of the first three of the Knights' batters. With the bases loaded and two outs, Jay Ruiz (JR/Bronx, NY) made a diving catch to close out the top of the first inning.
 
Fransisco hit an RBI single past second base to register the first run of the game. Jonas had an RBI double that went up the middle. The Panthers ended the first inning, leading 2-0. Ramirez had an impressive catch to end the second inning.
 
After he flew out to left, Giddens walloped a double to center. Then Sarni had a beautifully placed bunt to first for a hit, but an attempted bunt by Skoller turned into an inning-ending double play.
 
The Knights did not go quietly.
 
MSMC's Angelo Biondo smashed an RBI double, making the score 2-1 in the third inning. Then Chris Chieffo crushed a triple to center in the next frame. A Rivera single brought in Chieffo, which handed the Knights a one-run lead, 3-2.
 
Aided by some fielding miscues, Purchase rebounded and was able to score two more runs, regaining the lead, 4-3.
 
The Panthers added an insurance run late to help seal the victory. Sarni hit a single past the shortstop to start the seventh inning and later stole second. Pinch hitter Frank Fantino (JR/Nanuet, NY) hit a bomb to left, bringing in the Panther second baseman.
 
In the opener, the Panthers were led offensively by Sarni, Michael Piekarczyk (FR/Dudley, MA) and Fransisco. Sarni went 3 for 4, including two RBI. Piekarczyk was 2 for 4. Fransisco finished 2 for 4, as well.
 
The top contributors for Purchase in game two were pitcher Nast, Giddens, Sarni and Skoller. Nast didn't allow any runs and he struck out four batters. His record is now 5-1. Giddens went 2 for 3. Sarni was 2 for 2. Skoller went 3 for 4, including three RBI.
 
Purchase's doubleheader with the College of Staten Island set for Sunday has been canceled. The Panthers will likely open next Friday at Old Westbury. Further details to follow.

-With Bobby Ciafardini, SID