Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Bronx Community College baseball team got its 2024 season underway this past Sunday, falling to the Brookdale Jersey Blues by scores of 13-1 (five innings) and 23-3 (five innings). The games took place Middletown, NJ. While the games served as the season-openers for the Broncos (0-2), the Jersey Blues stayed unblemished on the year, improving to 12-0.

Bronx took a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first in game one, but Brookdale dominated the contest from there. The Jersey Blues played six runs in the bottom of the inning, before tacking on an additional seven runs in the bottom of the second. Brookdale led 13-1 after two full frames, and eventually went on to win the contest by that same score after the mercy rule kicked in following the Broncos' turn at-bat in the fifth.

Jersey Blues hurler Christian Krause picked up the victory in game one, twisting four innings and allowing just one earned run on one hit while walking four batters and fanning 10. Christopher Dimaggio hurled the fifth inning, retiring all three batters he faced to close out the victory.

Brookdale's offense was significantly balanced in the opener, as the Jersey Blues totaled 14 hits, and five players registered at least two. Nick LoVarco tripled, singled, scored twice, drove in two runs, and walked. Devon Smith doubled twice, dented home plate twice, and pick up two RBI. Ryan Cole and Ryan Schmidt picked up two singles apiece, with each youngster scoring once, and Nick Colbert and Hunter Serrano each registered a double. Colbert also scored twice and drove in two, while Serrano dented home plate once while driving in two.

The Broncos' offense featured just one hit in the opener, courtesy of newcomer Yadiel Santos. Moises Ortega, Raul Chevalier, Steven Santos, and Juan Rodriguez each drew a walk apiece.

Bronx starter Frailin Jimenez struggled in taking the game one defeat, pitching 1.1 innings and allowing 13 runs (nine earned) on nine hits while issuing four free passes and striking out a better. Wilbur Batista showed tremendous promise in relief, twisting 2.2 scoreless frames, allowing just two hits, walking a batter, and whiffing three.

In the second game of the afternoon, the Jersey Blues continued to put up big numbers, plating 12 runs in the first inning, and following that by adding three more in the bottom of the second. The Broncos, trailing 15-0 after two, got the offense humming in the third, with newcomer Brayant Taylor smashing a two-run homerun, and Yadiel Santos registering an RBI double later that inning. That brought the Broncos to within 12 at 15-3.

After the Broncos plated three in the top of the third, Brookdale's potent offense answered with seven runs in the bottom half of the inning, as the Jersey Blues increased their lead to 22-3. Brookdale would go on to win the game 23-3, inducing the mercy rule after the Broncos' turn at-bat in the top of the fifth.

The Jersey Blues totaled 15 hits in game two, led by Brzezniak's three, as he homered, hit a double, and registered a single, while also scoring three times and driving home five. Anthony Martino picked up a pair of hits, going yard while also singling, scoring three times, and driving in two, and Christopher Clark and Justin Diaz were the other two Brookdale players to record two hits, as each player doubled and singled. Clark also scored three times and drove in a run, while Diaz found home plate once while bringing home a run.

Despite the loss for the Broncos, Bronx did record six hits in game two, led by Taylor's two, including a homerun and a single. He also scored a run and drove in two. Yadiel Santos picked up an RBI double, and Justin Martinez, Cristhian Gonzales, and Johan De La Cruz each picked up a single.

Brookdale starter Zack Szatkowski pitched a clean three innings in picking up the victory, allowing just two hits and striking out one.

Broncos starter Joel Salcedo was roughed up in taking the loss, registering just two outs and allowing nine runs (two earned) on two hits while walking six.

Bronx will return to action this Saturday, as the Broncos will host Bunker Hill Community College in a doubleheader at Ohio Field. Start-times for the games are scheduled for 12:00pm and 3:30pm.