NEWARK, N.J.- Chris Roemer (Ardsley, NY/Ardsley) (Ardsley, NY/Ardsley) went 7-for-8 with three RBI's and a pair of doubles as the Setters swept their season-opening doubleheader over Bloomfield. Pace took game one 7-6 and completed the sweep with a 4-3 win in the nightcap. The Setters open up at 2-0, while the Deacons fall to 0-2.
In the opener, the Setters jumped out to an early lead as they pushed across five runs in the second inning. Brandon Martineson (Warwick, NY/Warwick) (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) led off with a solo homerun, while Mike Liguori (Rockville, NY/Chaminade) had an RBI double in the inning. Pace added runs on RBI singles by Roemer and Joe Solemeno (Holbrook, NY/Sachem East). Bloomfield chipped away with one run in the second, fourth, fifth and six innings as the Setters led 5-4 after six innings.
In the seventh, James Pjura (Shelton, CT/Shelton) (Shelton, CT/Shelton) blasted a solo homerun to lead off the inning as the Setters extended their lead to 6-4. The Deacons rallied with a pair of the bottom of the frame to force extra innings. Pace struck in the eighth inning as Joe Lombardi (Briarcliff, NY/Briarcliff) (Briarcliff, NY/Briarcliff) belted a go-head one-out solo homerun that proved to be the difference in the game as Pace took the opener 7-6.
On the mound, starter Michael Tamburino (Baldwin, NY/Holy Trinity) (Baldwin, NY/Holy Trinity) tossed 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits, while striking out six. Neil Pezzullo (Harwich, MA/Harwich) (Harwich, MA/Pelham Memorial) picked up the win (1-0) as he pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on two hits. Jonathan Hornung (Calverton, NY/Riverhead) (Calverton, NY/Riverhead) pitched a scoreless final inning to earn the save.
In the nightcap, Pace again struck first in the third inning as Robert Horn (Stamford, CT/Westhill) singled, while Roemer and Patrick Chaputian (Sea Cliff, NY/North Shore) (Sea Cliff, NY/North Shore) drew a walk later in the inning. Solomeno put the Setters up 2-0 with a two-run single. The Deacons added a run in the bottom of the inning, but the Setters extended their lead in the fourth as Roemer ripped a two-run double for a 4-1 Pace lead. Bloomfield closed to within 4-3 as they tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth but Brian Sundberg (Westbury, NY/WT Clarke) (Westbury, NY/W.T. Clarke) came on in relief to retie the final two batters with a runner in scoring position to end the threat.
On the hill. Jonathan Silva (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) tossed three innings, allowing one run on two hits, while fanning four. Edward Byrne (Yonkers, NY/Archbishop Stepanic) went 2 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and struck out two to earn the win. Sundberg retired all five batters he faced as he picked up his first save of the season.
The Setters return to action on Friday, March 2 as Pace will host Mercy College for a non-conference game at Finnerty Field at 2:30 pm.
