NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (Apr. 11, 2025) – Powered by the go-ahead RBI double from junior Kolongi Goins (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./FDR) in the 11th inning, the Mercy University baseball team earned a 3-2 win over ECC foe D'Youville University in 11 innings on Friday afternoon at Sal Magile Stadium.
The Mavericks (21-16, 7-6 ECC) have won four of their last five games and now have their most wins in a season since 2022. Mercy has won two straight meetings against the Saints (8-23, 2-3 ECC).
Mercy was led by Goins who went 1-for-4 with an RBI and by senior Gabe Sanders (Dunedin, Fla./Central Alabama CC) who went 3-for-5 with two RBI. Sophomore Peyton Jemison (Monroe, N.Y./Monroe Woodbury) went 2-for-4 and junior Sean McAdams (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Ludlowe) went 1-for-3 with a run. Junior Zach Ashline (Colonie, N.Y./Colonie Central) went 1-for-5 and senior Joseph Gonzalez (Monroe, N.Y./Rockland CC) went 1-for-5 with a run. Senior Alfred Hoti (New York, N.Y./Monsignor McClancy) scored the winning run after reaching on an error in the 11th inning. Freshman Andre Jenkins (Chester, N.Y./Chester Academy) pitched a career-high 8.0 innings with two runs allowed and four strikeouts to take a no-decision. Junior Samuel Gil (Bronx, N.Y./St. Bonaventure University) pitched 1.1 scoreless innings of relief and freshman Ryan DiNapoli (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown) pitched 0.2 innings with no runs allowed to earn his fourth win of the season. Freshman Gordon Votruba (Wading River, N.Y./Shoreham Wading River) pitched a scoreless 11th inning to earn his second save of the season.
D'Youville was led by Jonathan Simpson who went 2-for-4. Connor Joedicke allowed no earned runs in 4.0 innings to take the loss.
Mercy took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. McAdams singled with two outs and advanced to second on an error by the right fielder. Sanders then doubled down the left field line, scoring McAdams to make it 1-0. The Saints tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the second on a Jake Hollins RBI groundout.
The Mavericks regained the lead in the fourth inning, scoring a run to take a 2-1 lead. Gonzalez singled to lead off the inning and advanced to second after a McAdams sacrifice bunt. Sanders then singled to right field, scoring Gonzalez to put the Mavericks up 2-1.
D'Youville had a chance to tie the game in the seventh inning, but Goins threw out the tying run at the plate for the final out of the inning to keep Mercy ahead, 2-1.
Jenkins held the Saints scoreless from the third inning to the start of the ninth inning when he was pulled after allowing a leadoff walk. A Billy Morris double then put runners on second and third before a walk loaded the bases. Gil recorded a strikeout and a popup to make two outs in the inning. Alec Boucher scored the tying run on a wild pitch to make it 2-2. Gil induced another popup to end the threat, sending the game into extra innings.
Neither team scored in the 10th inning, sending the game into the 11th inning. After two groundouts made two outs in the inning, Hoti reached first on an error by the shortstop. Goins then doubled to left center with Hoti scoring all the way from first to put the Mavericks up 3-2.
Votruba retired the Saints in order in the bottom of the 11th on just seven pitches to close out the game, giving Mercy the 3-2 win.
Mercy had nine hits and no errors and D'Youville had six hits and two errors.
Head Coach Chris Schoen and the Mavericks resume action tomorrow when they play at D'Youville for a doubleheader at 12 p.m.
