Baseball

Moore and Prunka pace Generals to opening day win

Sullivan County standouts key in SCCC’s win over Globe Tech

STATEN ISLAND, NY - Sophomore pitcher Mike Prunka (Glen Spey/Eldred) pitched four scoreless innings and struck out seven Knights, leading the Sullivan County Community College (SCCC) Generals (1-0) to a 2-1 victory over Division I Globe Tech (0-1) on Friday, March 14 at Richmond County Bank Ballpark, home of the Staten Island Yankees of the NY Penn League. Freshman catcher Fred Moore (Neversink/Tri-Valley) went two for five with a double to pace the Generals’ offense.

John DeGroodt (Walden/Valley Central) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to record his first save. DeGroodt went two for four at the plate. Ray Valdez’s (Bronx/JFK) double brought home Mike Donohue (Walden/Valley Central) with the tying run in the top of the seventh, and Eddie Pagan's (Bronx/Hicksville) walk with the bases loaded in the eighth gave the Generals the lead for good.

“Our pitching was lights out today,” Generals coach Mike Marra said. “As a staff, we struck out 12 and only walked one. Our defense made some terrific plays behind our pitchers today. This was the blueprint for how we can win games this year, with solid pitching and defense. We've been working hard inside for the past eight weeks with our pitching plan and our detailed defensive execution, and it was nice to see it pay off today."

The Generals begin a six-game trip to Myrtle Beach, SC beginning Monday, March 17 against Northern Essex Community College (MA).