PURCHASE, N.Y. - After celebrating the 2020 Senior Class yesterday, the Purchase College baseball team returned to the diamond Sunday afternoon to honor its 2022 Seniors during a doubleheader sweep against Farmingdale State College.

The Panthers dropped the contests by the scores of 11-1 and 14-2, and fell to 11-19 overall and 7-9 in the Skyline Conference as a result. Meanwhile, the Rams of Farmingdale now sit at 19-11 and 11-5, respectively. 

2022 Senior Day Ceremony

Just as it did yesterday, the team honored the seniors in-between games one and two.

For the 2022 class, seven players - Jemal Betances (Bronx, NY), James May (Floral Park, NY), Connor O'Rourke (Massapequa, NY), Alex Miller (Reno, NV), Max Vera (Bethpage, NY), James Shea (Brooklyn, NY) and Alex Doskoez (Eastport, NY) - earned recognition.

The septet celebrated the ceremony on the field with their family, friends, teammates and coaches by taking photos and sharing laughs. Along the way, prepared words of honor from head coach Adam Taraska were read to commemorate each player's tenure with the Panthers.

Game 1 - Farmingdale State 11, Purchase 1 (7 inn.)

Outside of the Senior Day activities, the baseball team still had games to play against a stout foe in Farmingdale. The Rams lived up to that reputation with two stellar performances to collect the wins.

In the opening contest, it was actually the Panthers that struck first with their lone run in the bottom of the first inning.

The chance was created after Christian Homa (SO/Fairfield, CT) drew a walk and then stole second base. During the ensuing at-bat, Louis Carvell (JR/New York, NY) drove him home with a single to push the Panthers ahead, 1-0.

However, the lead turned out to be short lived, as the guests responded with a pair of runs in the top of the second. 

From there, the Rams slowly but surely padded their lead with three runs in the third, two in the fourth, one in the fifth and three in the sixth.

As for the Purchase offense, the team finished with four hits, two of which came from Carvell. On the mound, Justin Doskoez (SO/Eastport, NY) earned the loss after four innings of work.

Game 2 - Farmingdale State 14, Purchase 2 (8 inn.)

Farmingdale's offense continued to roll in the second game of the afternoon, jumping out to a 7-0 lead by the fourth inning.

In the bottom half of the fourth, Myles Scarry (SO/Levittown, NY) hit a two-run triple to plate both of Purchase's runs in the effort.

From there, the Rams added two runs in the sixth, two in the seventh and three in the eight to seal the win, 14-2.

In total, the Panthers were outhit, 20-3. On the mound, Mason Compton (FR/Carmel, NY) collected the loss.

Up next for Purchase baseball is a doubleheader road Skyline Conference matchup at St. Joseph's College-Long Island on April 30th. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.


Below are the Senior Day remarks for the 2022 class, as prepared by Head Coach Adam Taraska:

 

Today is a special but bittersweet day as we say thank you, congratulations, and farewell to our graduating seniors, who will play at home one last time. The following young men have proven to be very worthy of being honored today. They have displayed true character, determination, and fortitude during their time at Purchase.  

Let's meet the seniors: 

Our first 2022 senior Panther was recruited out of Bethpage HS on Long Island. The reliable backstop has been a constant source of leadership from behind the plate for many years. Known for his great defense, he has thrown out 13 would-be base stealers in his career with 6 this year alone. His value to the team is immeasurable as he is usually the most intense player at practice and games. His baseball IQ combined with his leadership capabilities have proven to be a great asset to the program, as he has helped younger players along and guided the team as a whole. His fire and intensity will be missed, but he has left behind a great blueprint of how to go about the business of being a student-athlete. Graduating next month with a 3.2 GPA and a degree in Psychology with a minor in Economics, and accompanied by parents Jarrod and Michele, co-captain #24 Max Vera!!! 

Our next senior transferred to Purchase from NY Tech, where he was a member of their D2 College World Series team. He was also a key member of his high school team at Eastport South Manor HS. In his two years at Purchase, he has been spectacular. He made an immediate impact as a Panther in his junior season of 2021, starting 7 games and going 4-1 with a 3.52 ERA and 4 complete games. The highlight of his season was a 9-inning complete game masterpiece at Maritime, where he struck out a Purchase-record 14 batters and allowed only 2 hits in the 2-1 come from behind win. He was named Skyline Pitcher of the Week for his efforts. In this, his senior season, he has battled nagging ailments but has still struck out 23 batters while walking only 6 in his 25 2/3 innings, most recently holding Merchant Marine Academy to 0 runs in the 4-inning start. Outside of the statistics, his presence on the pitching staff has been sorely needed from a leadership standpoint and he has delivered. He loves to talk pitching, and help other Panther pitchers with their pitches, philosophy, knowledge, and everything else that goes along with being a pitcher. As he considers a fifth-year, we honor and thank him today with the other members of his graduating class. Currently holding a 3.3 GPA and on a path to graduate with a degree in Communications, accompanied by parents Stan and Jackie, co-captain #65 Alex Doskoez!!! 

This four-year Panther came to us from Massapequa HS on Long Island and has been a tremendous asset to the team over his tenure. The sweet-swinging lefty first baseman has earned 59 at-bats while playing in 37 games in his career, but his value goes well beyond the numbers. Beloved by his teammates and coaches, he always practiced hard and improved as a player by leaps and bounds over the years. He has been extremely supportive of the program and his teammates from start to finish. The indispensable member of the team will be graduating next month with a 3.1 GPA and a degree in Journalism. Accompanied by parents Patrick and Lisa, #15 Connor O'Rourke!!! 

This four-year Panther was recruited from Wooster HS in Reno, NV. The right-handed pitcher has appeared in 23 games in his career, starting two games in his junior season, and earning the win in a 6 inning, 1 hit gem at Manhattanville. The always dependable teammate spent the past offseason rehabbing an injury, which has impacted his senior season, but you'd never know it from the contributions he continues to make in the dugout. He has assumed a leadership role especially this season. He cares about the little things that are so important to the day to day operations of a baseball team. He's a well-respected voice in the dugout and bullpen and has made numerous sacrifices to be a part of the program and we couldn't imagine it without him. Graduating with a 3.36 GPA and degrees in History and Journalism and accompanied by his girlfriend, Tessa, #17 Alex Miller!!! 

This four-year Panther was recruited out of St. Raymond's HS for Boys in the Bronx and has been a mainstay in blue and orange ever since. The jack-of-all trades has made his way around the diamond and proven that he is a very capable no matter where his is on the field. Over his career he has pitched 26 2/3 innings in 15 different games, including one win and one save. Offensively, he is a career .318 hitter in 129 at bats, including 21 RBI's, 29 runs, 1 HR, and 5 stolen bases. With the glove, he has played left field, catcher, and third base. A debilitating knee injury suffered in the fall season has kept him out of action this year, but he has been working hard to get back and will be using a fifth-year of eligibility next season. Celebrating today with the teammates he came into the program as freshmen with was important for him, and we can think of no better way to honor and thank him than this. Accompanied by his mother, Priscilla, and brother, Bradley, a great friend, teammate, and Panther #3 Jemal Betances!!! 

This four-year Panther was recruited out of Kellenberg Memorial HS on Long Island and has been a steady rock in the middle of the Panther lineup for years. After the 2020 season cancellation, he came back in a big way in his junior season, to the tune of a .329 batting average with 24 hits and 11 RBI's while only striking out 6 times in 73 at-bats. He recently smashed his first career HR at Albertus Magnus and is among the league leaders in HBP's with 9. A steady presence on the field and off, he was named co-captain this year, but has been a leader since the day he walked in the door. Graduating next month with a 3.23 GPA and a degree in Psychology, and accompanied by parents Richard and Carolyn, co-captain #9 James May!!! 

Finally, our last four-year Panther was recruited out of Midwood HS in Brooklyn and has made his mark on the Purchase baseball program. His name was on most of the lineup cards made in the last four years. In his four years, he's played in 88 games, pounding out 59 hits while scoring 49 runs. He's turned base stealing into an art form as he has 37 career stolen bases, only having been caught 5 times. His steady glove makes most of the routine plays and over the years he has had a knack for also making the spectacular play. A true grinder and field general, his presence on the infield at shortstop was felt by the entire team. He is as gritty as they come and is willing to do anything to help the team win. His leadership both on and off the field has been a true blessing for the program. On top of his great contributions on the field, he is also a model of success in the classroom. He will be graduating next month with a sterling 3.76 GPA and a degree in Psychology. Accompanied by parents Mike and Theresa, #42 "Jimmy" James Shea!!! 

The Panther baseball program, coaching staff, administration, and players would like to thank these seniors for their sacrifices and contributions to the program. We are proud of you!! 

A special thank you to the parents and loved ones of these fine seniors for your unwavering support over the years. You will always be Panthers!!