FARMINGDALE, N.Y. | Top-seeded Farmingdale State captured the 2026 Skyline Conference Baseball Championship title with a 5-2 victory over the United States Merchant Marine Academy on Sunday at Farmingdale State, securing its second-straight championship and 10th overall conference crown.

Farmingdale State struck first in the second inning, taking a 1-0 lead on an RBI groundout from Ryan Plocker that scored Matt Faraone. The Rams added another run in the fifth, as Ryan Wasserman delivered an RBI single to extend the advantage to 2-0.

Merchant Marine threatened throughout but was held scoreless into the eighth inning before Luke Kruer tied the game with a two-run home run down the left field line, evening the score at 2-2.

Farmingdale State responded immediately in the top of the ninth. Wasserman sparked the rally with a leadoff single, and after consecutive base hits loaded the bases, Matt Faraone delivered the go-ahead RBI single. John Francisco followed with a clutch two-run single to give the Rams a 5-2 lead.

On the mound, Derek Watts delivered a strong outing, tossing 7.2 innings while allowing just two runs. Thomas O’Neill closed out the final 1.1 innings to earn the win and seal the championship and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

Offensively, Farmingdale State totaled 12 hits, with Wasserman and Kaolis Delacruz each recording two, while Faraone added a pair of hits and two RBI.

With the win, the Rams punch their ticket to the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship. The field will be announced tomorrow, May 11 at noon. Click HERE to watch.