Purchase, NY (April 22, 2016) – Surround by friends and family behind the plate at the program's turf field complex, the Purchase College baseball team recognized five seniors in a heartwarming pregame celebration on Senior Day Friday. 

Sports Information Director Bobby Ciafardini MCed the festivities, which brought together the team and their families on the field, and featured senior gifts from Panther head coach Adam Taraska and his coaching staff. The entire team took to the field, as the five were honored one-by-one, receiving framed action photos as keepsakes for their journey beyond Purchase.  

William Kaul (SR/Eastchester, NY) was introduced first. "The outfielder has been usable in many different situations," Ciafardini said, sharing coach's words to the crowd. "He has played center and right and hit in the lineup anywhere from first, second, eighth, or ninth.
 
"Billy has made some brilliant defensive plays in the outfield in his two seasons here," he continued. "Billy is a recent Skyline Player of the Week award winner. He transferred to us from Coastal Carolina. He will graduate with a degree in liberal studies. He is being escorted by mother Lori, father Bill, and brother Danny."

Mathew Chavez (SR/Brooklyn, NY) followed and was joined by mother Melissa, father Kevin and grandparents Helen and Melvin. "The outfielder and designated hitter transferred to us from Plattsburgh. Mathew immediately came in as a leader; his cool, quiet demeanor has been a calming influence to everyone around him. He consistently got bigger, stronger, and became a better hitter, to the point where he has been hitting fourth most of this season. Matt is a captain and will graduate with a degree in liberal studies."

Nick Kulbaba (SR/Suffern, NY) followed Chavez and was escorted by mother Annmarie, father Tony, brother Dom, aunt Nicole and grandparents Nicole and Bob. "The captain transferred from East Stroudsburg and Rockland; he has been a force with the bat, when healthy. Nick has great ability to drive the ball to all fields with power. He has jokingly been given the endearing nickname 'Team Dad.' Coach says Nick has future coach written all over him, whenever his baseball career ends. His presence will be sorely missed. He will graduate with a degree in liberal studies."
 
Catcher Brenden LaPorte (SR/Farmington, CT) was escorted by his mother Lisa, father Michael and sister Chelsea. "Brenden is a jack of all trades from a team perspective. He leads by example with his work ethic. Brenden is an invaluable resource for all his teammates, rookies and veterans. You couldn't get him out of the gym and when you did he had a bat in his hands. He has started every conference game behind the plate for two years, playing through numerous injuries and nicks that every catcher endures. Brenden, who was all-conference in 2015, will graduate with a degree in liberal studies."   
 
Julian Jones (SR/Queens, NY) was the final senior introduced. His family lives in Maryland, but the captains made sure to join him behind the plate in a touching moment for the elder statesman.
 
"Julian is a tireless worker who handled everything we threw at him. He was at every practice, every team lift, and team function without fail. He showed marked improvements in all aspects of his game, at first base and hitting. Julian transferred in from Lehman College and immediately endeared himself to teammates and coaches. Affectionately known as 'Big Daddy Clutch' by teammates. He will graduate with a degree in journalism."
 
The senior ceremonies set the stage for a pair of competitive games, but unfortunately for the hosts, OW topped the Panthers 6-3 in game one and 5-1 in game two.
 
In game one, Panther starter Lukas Chin (SO/Spring Valley, NY) nearly eluded trouble in the top half of the first after walking and hitting a batter. He induced a 4-6-3 double play to retire the first two outs, but a wild pitch allowed the runner to score from third on the next play. He then allowed an infield single, but senior catcher LaPorte gunned down the runner for the final out of the inning.

In the bottom half, Purchase tied the game at 1-1 on an RBI single by Kulbaba, plating Teofilo Ramirez (JR/Queens, NY).

Chin and OW starter Tyler Kapela matched zeroes in the second, but the visiting Panthers broke through for four runs in the third, highlighted by an RBI single from Dean Sheridan, a two-RBI single from Paul Rapoli and a sac fly from Tommy Ziegen.

Reliever Dominic Micara (FR/Massapequa, NY) came on for Chin in the fourth and navigated around some minor trouble, pitching scoreless frames in the fourth and fifth.

Kapela also tossed scoreless frames from the second on, taking a 5-1 lead into the fifth, where he pitched a 1-2-3 inning. In the previous inning, the Panthers left runners on the corners in the fourth, but a double play helped OW get out of the jam.

The Panthers were able to rally late, scoring two runs on a two-RBI single by Chavez, cutting the deficit to 5-3. However, the visiting Panthers scratched across an insurance run in the ninth on a Jesse Russo sac fly.

Chin, Micara and Jonathan Deacon (SO/Lindenhurst, NY) all pitched three innings. Deacon finished the game, allowing one earned. Micara was scoreless over his three innings of work.

Kapela earned the game-one win on the mound for OW, striking out three in 5 1/3. Reliever Nick Dorcean earned the save out of the bullpen.

OW was paced offensively by Dean Sheridan and Paul Rapoli, who each notched three hits, while Kulbaba was the high man for Purchase by going 2-for-3 with one RBI. Chavez added two RBIs in the loss.

Game two was tight throughout as well, with OW getting a huge lift from Kevin Lao and his two-run home run in the second. Russo added a double and RBI in the fifth, as did Joey Walsh – the older brother of Purchase second baseman Gregory Walsh (FR/Bethpage, NY) – who made it 4-0 on his two bagger. Walsh's sac fly in the seventh increased that margin to 5-0.

In the bottom of the seventh, Purchase showed its mettle. Chavez grounded out, scoring LaPorte, but the Panthers' rally fell short despite two baserunners.

Purchase starter Miguel Reyes (JR/Bronx, NY) took the loss, despite a solid start. Trey Pizzutello earned the win for Old Westbury. The visitors collected six hits in the victory, while Purchase finished with four.

OW is now 21-12, including 9-3 in the Skyline. Purchase is 11-21 and 6-7 in the league.