Varsity Baseball | 5/11/2024 9:33:00 AM

BRIDGEWATER, NJ -- The Union Catholic baseball team pulled off a dramatic walk-off victory to defeat Elizabeth, 4-3,in eight innings in a big divisional matchup on Thursday night at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, the home of the Somerset Patriots.

After Elizabeth tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the seventh inning, the Vikings loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth inning. That set the stage for Nick Pellegrino's game-winning walk, which touched off a huge celebration by the Vikings at home plate.

The victory avenged a 9-8 walk-off loss to Elizabeth last month and raised the Vikings' record to 10-8 overall and 7-2 in the Mountain Division. Elizabeth is now 12-6 overall and 7-3 in the Mountain Division. 

This game also featured a coaching matchup between two Union Catholic alums, who both starred for the Vikings' baseball team, UC coach Anthony Colletti, and Elizabeth coach Kristian Cortizo.  

The Vikings got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning when Michael Pellegrino singled, and Adrian Rojas doubled, each scoring one run.

Elizabeth tied the game in the top of the fourth thanks to a double by Derek Escobar, and a single by Alfredo Gonzalez.

A bases-loaded balk gave Union Catholic a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth.

Stanley Bobadilla singled with two outs in the seventh to knock in a run and tie the game at 3-3..

Noah Sosa started on the mound for UC and struck out eight and allowed just five hits over five and one-third innings. Rojas, who struck out six batters over the final two and two-third innings, earned the win.

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