WestConn Athletics

DANBURY, CT - The Ramapo College baseball team scored seven runs in the top half of the first inning and never looked back as it cruised to an 18-7 victory over Western Connecticut State University in the Colonials' home opener at Westside Field Wednesday afternoon.

The first seven batters in the Roadrunners lineup came in to score as they chased WestConn starter and loser Steve Bainer (Prospect, CT) with one out in the frame.

Ramapo, 10-6, was paced by a 15-hit attack including three hits from Nick Sbarra (3-for-3 with two runs scored) and Shaun Hanrahan (3-for-4 with three RBI and a runs scored). Mike Manges and Justin Donnarumma each had two hits on the afternoon.

Domenick Raimondo same on in relief of starter Jordan Descafano with one out in the fourth and recorded his first victory of the season. Descafano allowed one run on three hits and struck out three but had trouble finding the strike zone, walking seven. Raimondo allowed six runs, three of them earned while striking out three and walking one.

WestConn shortstop Sam McNeil (Gales Ferry, CT) led the Colonials going 3-for5 with a two-run home run, in the sixth, and three runs batted in.

The Colonials, 6-8, drew within four runs, 8-4, after scoring three runs in the bottom of the six, but the Roadrunners tacked five more insurance runs on the scoreboard in the top half of the seventh. The big blow in the came off the bat of designated hitter Ryan Paxton when he belted a grand slam home run around the fair pole in left.

The Colonials come right back on Thursday for another non-league game against Mount St. Vincent College. First pitch is slated for 3:30 p.m.

Ramapo 18, Western Connecticut 7 (Mar 26, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.)

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Ramapo.............. 700 010 541  - 18 15  3      (10-6)
Western Connecticut. 000 103 300  -  7  9  4      (6-8)
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Pitchers: Ramapo - Jordan Descafano; Domenick Raimondo(4); 
Mike Cordasco(7); Matt Scarber(8); Tim Hannes(9). 
Western Connecticut - Steve Bainer; David Alarcon(1); Jeff Hancock(5); 
Ryan Dilts(7); Josh Murray(8); Miles Scribner(9). 
Win-Domenick Raimondo(1-0)  Loss-Steve Bainer(0-3)  T-3:48  A-50
HR RC - Ryan Paxton.
HR WCB - Sam McNeil.