BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The Setters earned a non-conference victory over Bridgeport on Saturday after belting ten hits to win the game 8-5. With the win, Pace advances to 17-15 while Bridgeport falls to 18-21.
After the Knights jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first, Pace responded with a run in the bottom of the inning. After
Paul Piccolino advanced all the way to third base on an error by the right fielder,
Frank Mayo cranked a sacrifice fly to center field to plate the run.
Bridgeport added two more runs in the top of the second inning, and the Setters once again answered with a run.
John Kukura and
Cory Capaldi led off the frame with back-to-back singles. After the runners each advanced on a SAC bunt, Kukura scored two batters later on a wild pitch.
The largest scoring output for Pace came in the fifth inning. After a quick groundout,
Tom Midolo and
Nick LoBello each belted singles to give Pace runners at first and second. After Kukura beat out an infield single to the shortstop, the Setters had the bases loaded. The first of five runs in the inning came on a sacrifice fly by Capaldi that plated Midolo. A
Michael Gulino walk later re-loaded the bases for the Setters.
Isaiah Rivera came up next and sent an RBI-single to the second baseman, advancing all the runners. Senior
Brett Bittiger came up with the key hit in the inning after he blasted a bases loaded, two-run single to right field. Piccolino ended the pivotal rally when he crushed an RBI-single to right, giving Pace a 7-4 advantage.
The Knights rallied for a run in the top of the fifth, but the Setters stretched it back to a three-run lead in the sixth. Mayo and LoBello each recorded walks in the inning. A groundout advanced them both and gave the Setters runners at second and third with two outs. Capaldi came up next and sent an RBI-single through the left side of the infield to give the Setters an 8-5 lead, the eventual final score.
Capaldi went 2-3 with a pair of RBIs while Bittiger went 1-3 with two RBIs and a walk. Rivera, Mayo, and Piccolino each recorded one hit, one RBI, and scored once. Kukura ended his day with a 2-5 mark, adding two runs scored while LoBello went 1-2 with three walks and a run scored.
On the mound, the Setters had solid performances from a trio of seniors.
Tim Deegan (3-1) got the start and earned the win after tossing five innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts.
Robert Rizzitelli entered for two innings of relief and allowed no hits or runs while walking one batter and fanning two others.
Josh Grant picked up the two-inning save after allowing no hits or runs in the game's final two frames.
Pace returns to the diamond tomorrow when they travel back to Bridgeport, Conn. for a game against the Knights at 6:00 p.m.
