Vikings Close Florida Trip Perfect, Sweep Holyoke and Northern Essex to Move to 8-0
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CONTACT: Julia Quinlan, j.quinlan@hvcc.edu, (518) 629-7863 or (518) 530-7376
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Wednesday, March 18, 2026
GAME 1: HVCC 11-1 HOLYOKE
The Hudson Valley Community College baseball team completed a perfect spring trip to Florida on Wednesday, defeating Holyoke and Northern Essex at the RussMatt Invitational to improve to 8-0 on the season and 6-0 in Florida.
In the opener, Hudson Valley used a six-run fifth inning to break the game open and cruise to an 11-1 win over Holyoke at Lake Myrtle Sports Park. Red Maron sparked the decisive frame with a two-run home run to right field, followed by a two-run single from Nicholas Mirabile and a sacrifice fly from Frankie Torres as the Vikings' offense took full control.
Hudson Valley had seized momentum early, plating three runs in the first inning. Robert Melo drove in the first run with a groundout, Maron followed with an RBI single to left, and Nick Commisso lifted a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0. Melo added to the lead in the third with a solo home run to center field.
On the mound, right-hander Joey Gecewicz was dominant, tossing four hitless innings and allowing just one unearned run while striking out eight and walking one. Left-hander Jackson Lyman closed the game with a scoreless fifth inning, striking out two without allowing a hit. At the plate, Logan Norman and Maron each collected two hits, while Mirabile, Maron and Melo each drove in two runs. The Vikings were aggressive on the bases with three steals and played error-free defense, as catcher Michael Poltar handled a team-high seven chances behind the plate.
GAME 2: HVCC 3-2 NORTHERN ESSEX
Game 2 featured a much tighter contest, as Hudson Valley edged Northern Essex, 3-2, in a pitchers' duel. The Vikings fell behind in the first inning when 2026 NECC scored on a groundout, but Hudson Valley quickly answered. An error in the top of the second allowed the Vikings to tie the game at 1-1.
Hudson Valley took the lead for good in the third. Maron ripped a single down the left-field line to bring in a run, and Commisso followed with an RBI single up the middle, pushing the advantage to 3-1. Those runs proved critical as Northern Essex mounted pressure late.
Starter Jeremy Graham turned in a strong performance to earn the win, working five innings and allowing just two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out five and walking two. Alexander Deitz came on to record the save, closing out the final frames to secure the victory. Offensively, Maron and Commisso were again central in the order, each driving in a run, with Maron going 2-for-4 to lead the team in hits. The Vikings added three stolen bases and turned a key double play to help protect the narrow lead.
With the two wins, Hudson Valley finishes its Florida swing unbeaten and returns home with an 8-0 record. The Vikings are back in action on Saturday, March 21, when they travel to face Fulton-Montgomery Community College in a doubleheader scheduled for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.