ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – The Westminster College baseball team opened up their 2020 season with a sweep of D'Youville College (NY) in the first two games of the Russmatt Tournament on Sunday by scores of 8-4 in game one and 13-2 in game two.

First-year Head Coach Patrick Riley earned his first career victories in his first season at the helm of the Titans.
 
In game one, Westminster (2-0) and D'Youville (0-2) were tied through three innings. In the bottom of the fourth, the Titans got on the board when sophomore Seth Schrader (Fredonia, NY / Fredonia) notched a two-RBI single to make the score 2-0. The Spartans responded with two runs in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 2-2. In the fifth inning, Westminster blew the game open with four runs. Senior Frank Cinicola (Cranberry Township, PA / Seneca Valley) got the scoring started with an RBI single, before classmate Jaret Johnson (Niles, OH / Niles McKinley) flipped momentum in favor of the Titans with a two-run homerun to make the score 5-2. Titan junior Vincent Morelli (Ambridge, PA / Ambridge Area) extended the Titans' lead to 6-2 with an RBI fielder's choice. D'Youville tacked on two more runs in the top of the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 6-4. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Titans recorded two insurance runs to seal the victory. Sophomore Dawson Porter (Kittanning, PA / Armstrong) led the way with three hits, while senior Tyler Barnot (Pittsburgh, PA / Bethel Park) earned a pair of hits. Senior Dante Sienko (Wexford, PA / Pine-Richland) tossed six innings, scattered three hits, gave up one earned run and tallied eight strikeouts in the victory.
 
In game two, the Titans immediately jumped on the Spartans with a three-run first inning. The Titans extended their lead to 8-0 after the second inning. Despite two runs by the Spartans in the third inning, the Titans scored five more runs in the contest and cruised to victory. Sophomore Brandon Cooper (Oakdale, PA / West Allegheny) led the way with a game-and career high three hits and five RBIs. Porter collected two hits and tied a game-high with three runs scored. Sophomore Matt Costello (New Castle, PA / Union Area) had two hits and a pair of RBIs. Sophomore Paul Midili (Spring Hill, FL / Bishop Mclaughlin Catholic) earned with win after tossing four innings, scattering three hits, allowing no earned runs and earning five strikeouts.
 
The Titans will continue the Russmatt Tournament tomorrow when they do battle with Husson University (ME) in a doubleheader starting at 3 PM.