AUBURNDALE, Fla. – The Pace University baseball team dropped its opening matchup at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational on Saturday to Saint Joseph's College (Ind.) by a score of 6-2 at Lake Myrtle Park Field 6.
SCORING PLAYS
Top 6th – St. Joseph's
- The Pumas opened up the sixth with back-to-back singles, followed by an error on a sacrifice bunt attempt to load the bases.
- A walk then brought in the first run of the game and left the Setters still looking at bases loaded with nobody out.
- Junior reliever
Anthony Criscione (Bronx, NY/Cardinal Spellman) then came on in relief, and started off with some luck by getting the runner at third out at the plate trying to score on a passed ball.
- Criscione went on to get the last two outs on strikeouts to keep Pace within a run.
Bottom 6th – Pace
- The first two batters of the inning grounded out, but senior first baseman
Garrett De Lotto (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) kept the Setters going with a single up the middle on a 3-2 count.
- Senior right fielder
Cory Capaldi (Telford, PA/Souderton) capitalized on the opportunity, slamming a two-run homer to put the Setters on top, 2-1.
Top 7th – St. Joseph's
- The Pumas had runners on second and third with two away when catcher Jeff Hightower singled to left, bringing in left fielder Martin Napleton from third to tie the game at 2-2.
Top 8th – St. Joseph's
- With a runner on third, third baseman Jarrett Hammel stroked a double for the Pumas, bringing in shortstop Noah Powell to put the visitors ahead, 3-2.
- Napleton later hit a single, bringing in Hammel to put the Pumas on top, 4-2.
Top 9th – St. Joseph's
- First baseman Riley Benner was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and then Hightower doubled him in to make it a 5-2 game.
- Right fielder Cameron Curry later hit a sacrifice fly to plate Hightower and give the Pumas a 6-2 lead.
PITCHING DECISIONS
Win: Quinn Snarskis (3-0)
Loss:
Michael Amato (Farmingville, NY/Sachem East/Suffolk CC) (0-1)
Pitching Notes
- Senior starter
Anthony Rocco (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) tossed five-plus innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out four.
- St. Joseph's started Quinn Snarskis allowed two runs across seven frames with four strikeouts.
SETTER STATS
- Capaldi hit 1-for-4 with a two-run homer for Pace.
- De Lotto scored a run after going 1-for-4.
- Sophomore second baseman
Michael Salmonese (Waldwick, NJ/Waldwick) went 1-for-4 with a stolen base.
PUMA LEADERS
- Hightower batted 2-for-3 with two RBIs, a run and a double.
- Napleton hit 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
- Curry went 0-for-3, but managed to knock in two runs.
TEAM RECORDS
Pace: 3-2
St. Joseph's: 11-2
UP NEXT:
- The Setters continue play in the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational in Auburndale, Fla. on Sunday, March 12, when they take on Ohio Dominican University at 3:30 p.m.
For all information regarding Pace baseball, log on to
www.PaceUAthletics.com and follow Pace Athletics on Facebook (
T-Bone, Official Mascot of Pace University Athletics) and Twitter (
@PaceUAthletics), and follow Pace baseball on Instagram (
@PaceBaseball).
