KINGS POINT, N.Y. – At the United States Merchant Marine Academy, where military tradition meets America’s Pastime, baseball has significantly impacted U.S. lives for over 150 years, with roots tracing back to the Civil War.
Numerous baseball legends, including Willie Mays, Yogi Berra, Ted Williams, and Joe DiMaggio, served their country while making history on the diamond.
Military institutions across the United States play a pivotal role in shaping student-athletes who serve during their academic careers or after graduation, especially when they are not recruited by one of the 30 Major League Baseball clubs or independent leagues.
Prominent service academies with established NCAA baseball programs include the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., Norwich University in Northfield, Vt., Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, Ga., Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va., Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Va., and Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas.
With the start of the NCAA college baseball season, military institutions across the country are getting into the swing of 2025. “It was a short offseason for me since I was at sea, so this is all pretty new,” said USMMA center fielder Tommy Chiappetti. “Coming back, I had to adjust quicker than usual, but it just felt great to be out there on the field again with my teammates, getting that win.”
World Baseball Network visited the North Shore of Nassau County on Long Island at Kings Point to cover the United States Merchant Marine Academy Mariners’ opening-day doubleheader at Bartoszek Field against the Union College Garnet Chargers of the Liberty League.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy competes in the Skyline Conference alongside Manhattanville College, Farmingdale State College, the College of Mount Saint Vincent, SUNY Purchase, SUNY Maritime, St. Joseph’s-Brooklyn, St. Joseph’s-Long Island, Yeshiva University, and Old Westbury.
USMMA finished the 2024 season in second place with a conference record of 15-5 and an overall record of 27-16, earning a berth in the Skyline Conference Tournament under head coach Michael Notebaert.
USMMA did not advance to the Skyline Conference Tournament championship, losing 10-0 to St. Joseph’s-Long Island on May 12, 2024, and did not receive an at-large bid to the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
With several players spending the fall ball season at sea, USMMA will evaluate its out-of-conference schedule to determine how it can compete against top Division III programs, including a road trip to Fort Pierce, Fla., following a home doubleheader against Ithaca College on March 1.
Game 1 DH: Union College Garnet Chargers 6, USMMA Mariners 4 – First Game – Seven Innings
On a 44 degree day on the north shore of Long Island, the Union College Garnet Chargers under head coach John Muller, won their first game 6-4 in seven innings over the United States Merchant Marine Academy Mariners on opening day in their road non-conference matchup.
The first game of the 2025 season for both programs in Sunday’s doubleheader took an hour and forty seven minutes.
Union College starting pitcher Chris Sutter threw four innings, allowing two hits, one earned run, two flyouts, six ground outs, and three strikeouts, while facing 14 batters.
USMMA starting pitcher Ryan Felton took his first loss of the season in the first game on Sunday afternoon and threw three innings, allowing four earned runs, two walks, three strikeouts, and facing 28 batters.
The Mariners jumped out early against the Garnet Chargers pitching staff, when first baseman Ben Taylor cracked a solo home run over the left-center field wall in the bottom of the second, to capture a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the third inning, Union College sparked the scoreboard, when catcher Caleb Miller smacked a grand slam over the left-center field fence, scoring Dylan Swarts, Dan Sheeran, and Nico Lambros, to go out in front 4-1.
USMMA cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fifth. Landon Troutt was hit by a pitch with one out and moved to third on a single by Ricardo Olivares. Braden Vazquez then singled up the middle, driving in Troutt to bring the Mariners within two at 4-2.
Union responded in the top of the sixth, extending its lead. Sam Strazza led off with a triple to right field and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Andrew Keaveney, making it 6-2.
In the bottom of the sixth, USMMA added one final run. Luke Kruer drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Garrett Clapsaddle followed with a single up the middle to drive in Kruer, trimming the deficit to 6-3. The Mariners threatened with runners on second and third, but Union escaped the jam with back-to-back outs.
USMMA was retired in order in the bottom of the seventh as Union College secured the 6-3 victory.
Game 2 DH: USMMA Mariners 7, Union College Garnet Chargers 5 – Second Game – Nine Innings
In the second game of the twin bill, the USMMA Mariners won their first game of the 2025 season and beat the Union College Garnet Chargers 7-5 on Sunday afternoon.
USMMA starting pitcher David Cherwonuk and relievers Jacob Syversen and Cody White combined to toss nine innings, allowing four earned runs, six walks, and 13 strikeouts. “It feels great,” said Syversen. “I’m just happy to be out here with all the boys in the ‘Treehouse.’ It feels good to be back on the mound, especially after being a reliever last year and not getting much time.”
Union College got on the board first when first baseman Sam Strazza lined an RBI double into center field, scoring Caleb Miller for a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
During the bottom of the second inning, USMMA cracked the scoreboard when Lavis Inserra drove an RBI single through the left side of the infield, scoring catcher Garett Clapsaddle to tie the game at 1-1.
A few moments later, right fielder Braden Vazquez crushed a bases-clearing triple to right field, scoring Ben Taylor, Inserra, and Landen Troutt for a 4-1 lead. “We’ve been excited to play baseball all fall, and now that we finally get the chance, we’re just having a lot of fun,” said Vazquez. “Winning makes it even better.”
Center fielder Tommy Chiappetti followed with an RBI single up the middle, scoring Vazquez to extend the lead to 5-1.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Garnet Chargers jumped back into the game when designated hitter Caleb Miller hit a two-run single into center field, scoring Noah DiCaprio and J.T. Psirogianes to cut the deficit to 5-3.
The next batter, catcher Cooper Ames, drove a two-run single into center field, scoring Nick Lambros and Miller to tie the game at 5-5.
After Union tied the game, Syversen entered in relief and recorded a key strikeout to strand a runner on base, keeping the score even heading into the bottom of the fourth.
The Mariners regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when Landon Trout grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, scoring Louis Inserra to take a 6-5 lead.
Union College threatened in the top of the eighth, loading the bases with two outs. Syversen forced a ground ball to shortstop, where Jack Millen fielded cleanly and flipped to second base for the force out, ending the inning and preserving the one-run lead.
USMMA got their final run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Luke Kruer grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, extending the lead to 7-5.
In the top of the ninth inning, reliever Cody White entered the game and struck out three of the four batters he faced – retiring Ryan Kolodziejczyk, Noah DiCaprio, and pinch hitter Josiah Martinez – to help secure the United States Merchant Marine Academy’s first win of the 2025 campaign.
USMMA will host their second home series of the 2025 season with a doubleheader on March 1 against the Ithaca College Bombers of the Liberty League at 12 p.m. ET at Bartoszek Field in Kings Point, N.Y.
Union College will play on the road on March 1 in a doubleheader against SUNY Purchase of the Skyline Conference at 11 a.m. ET.
