LYNDHURST, N.J. – The Setters dropped a doubleheader against NE-10 rival Merrimack on Saturday. Pace fell in the first contest 11-0 before losing the nightcap by a score of 7-3. The Setters now fall to 4-9, 0-2 NE-10 while Merrimack advances to 8-5, 2-0 NE-10.

In the opener, the Warriors jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first after a series of walks plated the game's opening run. Merrimack advanced their lead to 4-0 before the Setters began their biggest rally of the game in the bottom of the fourth frame. After back-to-back singles by Paul Piccolino and Tom Midolo, junior Nick LoBello was hit by a pitch to load up the bases. After three straight outs, Merrimack was able to end the threat.

The Warriors stretched the advantage to 11-0 before the eighth inning when Anthony Sigismondi took the mound. The freshman hurler tossed the final two innings of the contest and allowed no runs. In the bottom of ninth Midolo continued an impressive day as he led off the inning with an infield single. LoBello followed and squeaked a single through the right side of the infield, but a strikeout and double play ended the contest.

Jonathan Chudy got the start for Pace and tossed four innings while allowing four earned runs and striking out six Warriors. He was relieved by Jake Amoroso who tossed 2.2 innings and allowed four earned runs while striking out four. Sigismondi tossed the final two innings and struck out four while allowing just three hits and no runs.

The Setters struck first in the second game after a two-out rally in the bottom of the first inning. After a Midolo double to center field, LoBello knocked a single through the left side of the infield to put Pace up 1-0.

The story of the early innings was Pace starter Robert Rizzitelli who was dealing. In the first five innings of the game the senior held Merrimack to no runs and just three hits while adding five strikeouts.

Pace crossed the plate again in the fourth after Piccolino banged a single to left field that scored Frank Mayo. The early advantage was stretched to 3-0 when the Setters roped a trio of singles in the bottom of the fifth. Freshman Matthew Kurdewan poked a base hit to left field that scored John Kukura.

After Merrimack added three runs over the next two innings the score was knotted up at 3-3 in the top of the ninth. The Warriors added a quartet of runs to take a 7-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth. After a lead-off walk, the Setters went down in order and fell to the Warriors 7-3.

Kukura led Pace at the dish with 3 hits on five at bats and a run scored. Midolo went 2-4 with a walk while LoBello, Piccolino, and Kurdewan contributed one hit and an RBI apiece.

On the rubber, Rizzitelli hurled five innings while allowing three hits and no earned runs to go along with five Ks. Junor Dylan Mouzakes relieved him and tossed 1.1 innings while striking out two and allowing no earned runs. Josh Grant tossed the game's final 2.2 innings and allowed three earned runs while striking out three.

The Setters return to the diamond on Tuesday, March 24^th when they take on Nyack College on the campus of SUNY Purchase. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.