PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Junior right fielder
Cory Capaldi (Telford, PA/Souderton) did not want to let Friday's matchup against Bloomfield College go to extra innings, so he emphatically put an end to the game in the bottom of the ninth, blasting a two-out, three-run, walkoff homer over the left-field fence to give the Pace University baseball team a 9-6 victory over the Bears in non-conference action at Peter X. Finnerty Field. The Setters improve to 25-17 on the year with the win, while Bloomfield drops to 11-24.
Two runners were on with two away as Capaldi stepped to the plate in the ninth. Capaldi proceeded to send a pitch flying well over the left fielder and into the brush behind the left-field wall, bringing in three runs to end the game with a celebration at the plate.
Friday's contest had the makings of a barn burner early on, as both teams strung together big rallies in the first couple innings. The Setters had a huge bottom of the first, erupting for five runs to take the first lead of the game. Sophomore catcher
Michael Gulino (Meriden, CT/Maloney) roped a triple to right-center, plating the first two runs of the game. Gulino then scored on a ground out by junior first baseman
Garrett De Lotto (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug). Later in the inning with two runners on, sophomore designated hitter
Matthew Kurdewan (Neptune, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) slapped a double to center, bringing in both runs to take a 5-0 lead.
The Setters lead did not last for too long, as the Bears put together a productive inning of their own to tie the game in the top of the second. Third baseman Luis Hidalgo knocked in the first run on an RBI single to center. Right fielder Luke Loughery then brought in another after legging out a bunt single. With the bases loaded, center fielder Azmir Garcia grounded out to third, allowing Hidalgo to score and make it 5-3. Shortstop Juan Reina then tripled in two more runs, tying the game at five.
Bloomfield got its sixth run in the top of the third after capitalizing on some mistakes by the Setters. With De Lotto on second and two away, junior left fielder
James Wynne (North Salem, NY/North Salem) singled to left, bringing De Lotto home to tie the game at six. The game remained tied until the bottom of the ninth, when Capaldi ended the game on his walkoff three-run longball.
Capaldi hit 2-for-5 with three RBIs, a run scored and his walkoff three-run homer. Gulino went 1-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs and a triple. Junior center fielder
John Kukura (New City, NY/Clarkstown South) batted 2-for-4 with two runs and a stolen base. Kurdewan went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a double. Senior third baseman
Nick LoBello (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin) went 1-for-3 with an run.
Bloomfield was led by second baseman Anthony Lantigua, who hit 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Reina went 2-for-5 with two RBIs.
Sophomore reliever
Ryan Aquino (Mamaroneck, NY/Rye Neck) grabbed the win to improve to 3-1. He tossed three innings in relief, allowing just one hit and no runs. Bloomfield's David Dolci took the loss after being responsible for two runs on Capaldi's three-run homer.
The Setters get back to work tomorrow, April 30, when they host LIU Post for a pair of non-conference games at Peter X. Finnerty Field. The re-dedication of Finnerty Field will take place from 12-1 p.m. Saturday afternoon, as well as the Fred Calaicone Dugout Dedication and Number Retirement Ceremony. The Setters will also celebrate Senior Day to honor its 10 seniors between games of the twinbill. First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m.
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