Golden Eagle Baseball Qualifies For First NCAA Tournament
St. Joseph's Captures 2004 Skyline Crown

Patchogue, NY – Championship Sunday started out as dreary as possible for the St. Joseph's College Golden Eagles Baseball team, but it could not have ended any better. As the book closed on the 2004 Skyline Double-Elimination Championship Tournament, the Golden Eagle players were amassed in a jubilant pile to the left of the pitching mound celebrating their championship victory and upcoming trip to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

Amid the raindrops, Coach Randy Caden's squad struggled to find it's footing as the day began with a 12-3 loss to Centenary College in an elimination game for the visiting Cyclones. The Golden Eagles did not seem concerned, however, as they knew they had an ace up their sleeve in Game 2 - unbeaten pitcher Tony Gallia. Sure enough, the junior hurler came up huge and the Golden Eagles came out on top as it laid claim to its' second-ever Skyline Conference Championship by a 9-3 score.

In 2001, when SJC won its first Skyline Conference Championship, the prize was not as rich. This time the victory in the final game of the tournament earned St. Joseph's an automatic qualification into the NCAA Division III Tournament.

In the championship game, Tony Gallia (East Moriches, NY/West Hampton High School), won his ninth consecutive decision by striking out four, walking none and allowing five hits in nine innings. Gallia, a junior, is 9-0 in 2004 and currently ranked seventh in the nation in ERA.

Providing the power in the championship game was DH Jason Rudilosso (Centereach, NY/Centereach HS). He singled home the first SJC run in the bottom of the first inning and then hit a homerun over the left field fence with two outs in the bottom of the third. On the day, Rudilosso went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI.

Also providing some extra-base pop was outfielder Ryan Burdi (Oakdale, NY/Connectquot HS). The junior hit two doubles, scored two runs and had one RBI on a 3-for-4 day.

Mike Luzim (Kings Park, NY/ Kings Park HS) pitched a two-hit complete game to give St. Joseph's their first tournament victory, 2-1, on Friday afternoon against Mt. St. Mary. Luzim, the Skyline Conference Pitcher of the Year, lowered his already NCAA-ranked ERA to 1.41 with his performance on Friday. He is 5-4 on the year.

Second baseman Ron Reed (North Babylon, NY/St. John the Baptist HS), whom Coach Caden called the team MVP this weekend, turned in a stellar effort for SJC. Reed came up with the bases loaded in a 1-1 tie and hit a bases clearing triple in Saturday's 10-5 win over Centenary. In addition to his offense, Ron had a part in turning four double plays and played a flawless second base in 24 total chances.

Prior to the weekend Gallia, Rudilosso and Luzim were all named to Skyline All-Conference team. In addition, Coach Caden was voted the 2004 Skyline Coach of the Year by his peers.

Coach Caden became the all-time winningest coach in SJC history earlier this season. He has posted an 85-69-2 record in four years. Caden also led the team to the Skyline Championship in 2001, his first year at the helm of the Golden Eagles. He is no stranger to NCAA championship competition as he led Suffolk West to the NJCAA World Series earlier in his coaching career.

St. Joseph's will now await the NCAA Division III tournament brackets, which will be released by the NCAA on May 17. The Golden Eagles are currently 26-16 overall.

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For more information on the St. Joseph's College Athletic Program, contact Frank Flandina, Sports Information Director, at (631) 447–3352 or