HADDONFIELD, N.J. - Following a weather delay that pushed the finals to Sunday, Marymount claimed the 2026 AEC Baseball Championship, battling the Cyclone across two games. In the opening game, top seeded Centenary posted a 5-3 win over #2 Marymount in a must-win game for the Cyclones, leading to a winner-take-all game seven. Marymount pulled off the upset in strong fashion, scoring double digits en route to a 15-9 victory.
#2 Marymount, 3 vs
#1 Centenary, 5 |
BOX SCORE
Recap Courtesy of Centenary Sports Information Department
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J.- The Centenary University baseball team refused to let its season end on Sunday morning, grinding out a 5-3 victory in Game 1 of the Atlantic East Championship to force a decisive winner-take-all matchup later in the day.
After battling through the bracket and winning their third game of the weekend, the Cyclones once again leaned on timely hitting to keep their championship hopes alive.
Centenary struck for five runs on just four hits, making the most of every offensive opportunity.
Joseph Frei delivered one of the biggest swings of the afternoon, finishing with a hit and two RBI, while
Myles Castillo also came through in the clutch with a hit and two RBI of his own.
On the mound,
Louie Vassallo turned in a stellar performance to steady the Cyclones. The right-hander worked 5.1 innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out two. Vassallo consistently kept the Saints off balance and gave Centenary the momentum it needed early in the contest.
When the Saints threatened late,
Anthony Fraser slammed the door shut out of the bullpen. Fraser earned the save after tossing the final 1.1 innings without allowing a hit or a run, sealing the victory and sending the championship series to a decisive final game.
With the win, the Cyclones have now rattled off three victories during a grueling championship weekend and will look to complete their remarkable run when they take the field once again with the Atlantic East title on the line.
#1 Centenary, 9 vs
#2 Marymount, 15 |
BOX SCORE
Recap Courtesy of Marymount Sports Information Department
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J.- Marymount opened the scoring in the first inning with
Ryan Cuadros delivering an RBI single to bring in Woodring, who had reached base on a walk and stole second. Centenary responded with four runs in their half following a series of hits and a fielder's choice, taking a 4-1 lead after the first inning.
In the second inning,
Seth Sadler singled and scored on a double by Carbonell. An error allowed Carbonell to score, narrowing the gap. Centenary added two more runs in their half to maintain a 6-3 lead after two innings.
Marymount added a run in the third when Farmakides grounded out, allowing
Evan Schick to score after his leadoff ground-rule double. Centenary managed one unearned run, bringing the score to 7-4 in favor of Centenary after three innings.
Marymount tied the game in the fourth inning.
Gray Ellenburg, Carbonell, and
Quincy Via all singled to load the bases. Woodring walked to bring in one run, and a sacrifice fly by Swekosky and an RBI groundout by Schick scored two more, tying the game at 7-7.
Marymount surged ahead in the fifth inning. Farmakides hit a solo home run, and Swekosky's grand slam capped off a six-run inning, making it 13-7. Centenary was held scoreless in their half.
In the sixth, the Saints extended their lead with a sacrifice fly by Via and a subsequent run by Carbonell, increasing the advantage to 15-7. Centenary did not score in the bottom of the sixth.
Centenary cut into the lead in the eighth inning with a solo home run by Dominick Chiego and another run later, but the Saints' lead was too large to overcome. The final score was Marymount 15, Centenary 9, giving Marymount the Atlantic East Championship.
UP NEXT
- The Saints will await their destination for the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
- The NCAA Selection Show will be held tomorrow at 12 PM.
- Stay tuned at MarymountSaints.com for all updates.
Baseball Tournament Schedule
Thursday, May 7 (Hosted by Centenary)
#4 Marywood, 4 at #1 Centenary, 3 | BOX SCORE
#3 Immaculata, 2 vs #2 Marymount, 5 | BOX SCORE
Friday, May 8 (Hosted by Centenary)
#3 Immaculata, 8 at #1 Centenary, 16 | BOX SCORE
#4 Marywood, 6 vs #2 Marymount, 25 | BOX SCORE
#1 Centenary, 8 vs #4 Marywood, 6 | BOX SCORE
Sunday, May 10 (Hosted by Centenary)
#2 Marymount, 3 vs #1 Centenary, 5 | BOX SCORE
#1 Centenary, 9 vs #2 Marymount, 15 | BOX SCORE
ABOUT ATLANTIC EAST
The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising eight institutions in a four-state area - Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, Marywood and Neumann Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary and Saint Elizabeth Universities in New Jersey, Marymount University in Virginia, and Pratt Institute in New York.
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