YORK, PA – The York College baseball team picked up a pair of Capital Athletic Conference victories over St. Mary's on a sunny but chilly Saturday afternoon in York. The Spartans took game one of the two-game set 6-3 before notching an extra-inning 5-4 triumph in the nightcap. The Green and White now move to an even 9-9 (6-5 CAC) on the season while the Seahawks fall to 7-15 (4-8 CAC).

Senior ace Jason Christenberry (Yoe, Pa./Dallastown) was terrific in York's game-one victory as he tossed a complete-game six-hit performance. The veteran right-hander, who allowed only a single run over the first five innings, struck out a trio of batters while not surrendering a walk.

Despite being shutout during the first four innings, the Spartan bats awoke in the fifth and sixth. Down 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth, Matt Monti (Easton, Pa./Easton) led off with a single into left. With #9 hitter Jim Meehan (Mastic, N.Y./Eastport-South Manor Central) stepping to the plate, the visitors seemed to prepare for the expected sacrifice bunt. Head Coach Paul Saikia however did not relay the bunt sign, instead allowing Meehan to swing. That proved a brilliant decision as the Spartan catcher jacked a home run over the left field fence giving York a 2-1 lead.

St. Mary's would then tie the game in the top half of the sixth, knotting the score at two.

The Spartans would break it open however, in the bottom half scoring four times in the frame. Following a single by Mike Connolly (Selden, N.Y./Newfield), who hit the ball hard all day, CT Stanley (Timonium, Md./Calvert Hall College) blasted York's second round-tripper of the contest, his team-leading fourth of the season. Joe Doyle (Stewartstown, Pa./Red Lion) then singled through the left side and was sacrificed to second by Rob Klinck (Stanhope, N.J./Lenape Valley Regional). Monti pushed Doyle to third with a base knock of his own before Meehan drove in Doyle with a sacrifice fly to center. Up 5-2, Monti stole second setting up Dustin Worthman (Tabernacle, N.J./Seneca) who ripped a double to bring home York's final tally.

Christenberry struggled slightly at the beginning of the seventh, surrendering back-to-back doubles with one out, but was able to bear down and record the final two outs to secure the win.

Connolly went 3-for-3 in game one, Monti was 2-for-3, and Meehan was 1-for-2 with three runs batted in.

Game two was a much different ballgame.

York began the latter tilt as they jumped out front early with a 1-0 lead after one.

Spartan starter Andy Rosenzweig (Glen Rock, Pa./Susquehannock) cruised through the first five innings, cutting down Seahawk batter after Seahawk batter. Rosenzweig even carried a one-hitter through five.

The Green and White opened up a 4-0 lead in the fourth. Doyle, who led off the inning with a walk, went to second on a Meehan single with one out. Rick Shumway (Shippensburg, Pa./Shippensburg Area) then received a free pass to load the bases. Kyle Cook (Pylesville, Md./North Harford) brought home the first of three runs in the inning with an infield hit.

Later, with two outs, Stanley walked forcing home Meehan before Justin Cohen (Severn, Md./Old Mill) garnered a base on balls to bring in Shumway.

Now with a 4-0 lead and Rosenzweig dealing, the Spartans looked to be in command.

However, in the top of the sixth, St. Mary's came all the way back by scoring four runs. The Seahawks strung together solid base hits to eventually knot the score at 4-4.

Rosenzweig was then lifted for Brandon Ullom (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) who promptly recorded the final two outs of the inning.

The game would spill into the eighth as neither side could scratch across a run in the seventh.

In the bottom of the eight the Spartans juiced the bases once again. With the sacks loaded and two out, Meehan stepped to the plate looking to end the contest. And end the contest he did as an errant Mike Bitanga pitch found Meehan's left arm. Hit by the pitch, Meehan trotted to first forcing Jimmy King (Frederick, Md./Frederick) home with the winning run.

For the contest, Meehan was 3-for-3 and registered the game-winning RBI. Connolly was 2-for-4, Stanley was 2-for-3, and Shumway and Doyle both posted 2-for-4 performances.

Ullom was spectacular in relief as he picked up his first win of the season. The sophomore dealt 2.2 scoreless innings, striking out three and only allowing two hits.

The Spartans will look to ride the momentum of their current three-game win streak as they play host to Rowan on Sunday. The Green and White square off with the Profs in a 12:00 p.m. tilt from Jaquet Field.

Game 1 Boxscore

Game 2 Boxscore

Photo: Jim Meehan went 4-for-5 with four RBIs and a run scored over two games against St. Mary's on Saturday - courtesy of Zach Clabaugh - www.sharpedgephoto.smugmug.com