PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Prior to Saturday's doubleheader between Pace University and LIU Post, Pace honored its history at Peter X. Finnerty Field. Between games, the Setters celebrated their 10 seniors in a Senior Day ceremony. The Setters split the twinbill with LIU Post, dropping the first game, 2-1, before coming out on top in the nightcap, 2-1. Pace moves to 26-18 overall, while LIU Post goes to 19-20.
Pace re-dedicated its baseball field to Pace Athletics Department founder and long-time Director of Athletics Peter X. Finnerty prior to Saturday's contests. Finnerty was also the first Pace Baseball Head Coach as he served in this role from 1948-1960. In addition, the home-team dugout on the first-base side was dedicated to 20-year head coach Fred Calaicone, and his number 30 was also retired prior to Saturday's games.
Between games on Saturday, Pace took the time to honor its 10 seniors for their commitment and contributions to the Pace baseball program.
Brett Bittiger (Saylorsburg, PA/Pius X),
Andrew Coffey (Greenwich, CT/Old Avon Farms),
Tyler Bivona (East Northport, NY/Northport),
Dylan Mouzakes (Dix Hills, NY/Half Hollow Hills),
Frank Mayo (Middletown, NY/Minisink Valley),
Mike Sweeney (Wayne, NJ/DePaul Catholic),
Nick LoBello (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin),
Josh Garran (Old Tappan, NJ/Northern Valley Regional),
Ryan Mihalkovitz (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North) and
Michael Forgione (West Harrison, NY/Harrison) were all recognized during the ceremony.
Game 1: LIU Post 2, Pace 1
Saturday's opener turned into a pitcher's duel as neither squad was able to muster up much offense. Mouzakes drew the ceremonial start on senior day, and pitched a 1-2-3 first inning that included two strikeouts.
The Pioneers got on the board first in the game, scoring a run in the top of the second. After a leadoff single by center fielder Kenny Daley, designated hitter Lou Doria doubled to left-center, plating Daley from first to take a 1-0 lead.
The Setters quickly responded to tie the game in their next at bat. Junior first baseman
Garrett De Lotto (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) walked to open the inning, and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. He moved over to third on a ground out by junior right fielder
Cory Capaldi (Telford, PA/Souderton), and then scored on a sacrifice fly by LoBello to knot things up at one.
LIU Post opened the fourth with back-to-back singles. Shortstop Joe Spitaleri then made it three singles in a row, bringing in Daley from third to give the Pioneers the lead for good.
Dan Jagiello grabbed the win for the Pioneers after tossing five innings in relief without yielding a run. Sweeney took the loss for Pace despite giving up just two runs in five innings of work. Graduate
Tim Deegan (Levittown, NY/Kellenberg Memorial) pitched the final three innings for Pace, allowing just one hit and striking out five batters.
LoBello brought in Pace's only run with a sacrifice fly in Saturday's opener. Sophomore catcher
Michael Gulino (Meriden, CT/Maloney) hit 1-for-3. Coffey and Bivona each hit 1-for-4 with a double.
Doria went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a double to lead LIU Post. Daley batted 2-for-4 with two runs. Spitaleri hit 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Game 2: Pace 2, LIU Post 1 (8 inn)
A game that was originally scheduled for seven innings pushed past that mark after another set of impressive pitching performances on both sides. The Setters walked off in the bottom of the eighth after an error with two outs allowed Gulino to score from second and end the game.
The Pioneers once again grabbed the early lead in Saturday's finale. First baseman David Groeneveld doubled to right-center in the top of the first, bringing in Spitaleri from first to take a quick 1-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the second, junior designated hitter
James Wynne (North Salem, NY/North Salem) sacrificed Capaldi and LoBello into scoring position. Mayo then fouled out to right, deep enough to bring in Capaldi on a sacrifice fly to tie the game at one.
Pace's run in the second was the end of the scoring in regulation for both teams. Gulino singled through the left side with one down in the eighth, followed by another single by De Lotto. LoBello then hit a ground to second, but an error by the fielder allowed Gulino to come home and end the game with a victory for the Setters.
Garran went the complete eight innings for Pace, giving up just one unearned run on four hits to improve to 5-3 on the year. LIU Post starter Joey Arena went seven innings, also allowing just one unearned run, but he did not factor into the decision. Reliever Robert Paccione took the loss after giving up Pace's winning run in the eight.
Gulino batted 3-for-4 with a triple and a run in the win. Coffey hit 2-for-4. De Lotto and Capaldi each went 1-for-4, with Capaldi scoring a run.
The Setters and Pioneers will face off once more on Sunday, May 1, this time in Brookville, N.Y. First pitch of Sunday's series finale is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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