PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – The Pace University baseball team continued its hot start to the season on Tuesday, as the Setters shut out LIU Post, 6-0, at Peter X. Finnerty Field to improve to 3-0 on the season. Pace was led by a strong start from junior pitcher
Ryan Aquino (Mamaroneck, NY/Rye Neck) and a three-RBI performance from senior left fielder
James Wynne (North Salem, NY/North Salem).
SCORING PLAYS
Bottom 2nd – Pace
- With one away, senior designated hitter
Domenick Luongo (Darien, CT/Cardinal Spellman), junior third baseman
Matthew Kurdewan (Neptune, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) and sophomore second baseman
Michael Salmonese (Waldwick, NJ/Waldwick) loaded the bases with three-straight singles.
- Senior catcher
Frank Mayo (Middletown, NY/Minisink Valley) came through with a hard grounder into the hole on the left side, bringing in Luongo to give the Setters the first run of the game.
- Senior left fielder
James Wynne (North Salem, NY/North Salem) then hit a grounder to second base, which led to Mayo being forced out at second, but Wynne was able to avoid a double play. Kurdewan scored from third, and some heads-up base running by Salmonese allowed him to score as well, making it a 3-0 lead for Pace after two.
Bottom 5th – Pace
- With Wynne on first, senior center fielder
John Kukura (New City, NY/Clarkstown South) hit grounder to third that was thrown away from the first baseman, sending Kukura all the way to third and allowing Wynne to score and make it a 4-0 game.
- Kukura came in on the next play when junior shortstop
Paul Piccolino (Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell) hit a long sacrifice fly to left, pushing the Pace lead to 5-0.
Bottom 8th – Pace
- With the bases loaded and two down, Wynne smacked one through the left side to bring in sophomore
Riley Iafrate (Harrington Park, NJ/Don Bosco Prep), but the inning ended after a good throw by the left fielder narrowly caught Kurdewan at the plate, leaving Pace up, 6-0, heading into the final frame.
PITCHING DECISIONS
Win:
Ryan Aquino (Mamaroneck, NY/Rye Neck) (1-0)
Loss: Jake DeCarli (1-1)
Pitching Notes
- Aquino tossed 6.1 frames, yielding just three hits and no runs while striking out four to earn the win.
- Junior
Anthony Criscione (Bronx, NY/Cardinal Spellman) came on in relief to throw 1.2 scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts.
- Junior
Michael Amato (Farmingville, NY/Sachem East/Suffolk CC) pitched a perfect ninth to close out the game.
- LIU Post starter Jake DeCarli allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits through five innings.
SETTER STATS
- Wynne batted 2-for-4 with three RBIs, a run scored and a stolen base to lead the Setters.
- Mayo hit 1-for-3, knocking in the game-winner with the Setters' first run in the second.
- Salmonese went 2-for-3 with a run and a stolen base.
- Piccolino brought in a run after going 1-for-3, while Luongo matched his 1-for-3 outing and scored a run of his own.
PIONEER LEADERS
- Third baseman Michael Greene hit 1-for-3.
- Center fielder Rob Andreoli and shortstop Jimmy Mendyk each batted 1-for-4.
TEAM RECORDS
Pace: 3-0
LIU Post: 6-4
UP NEXT:
- The Setters and Pioneers are set for a rematch on Wednesday, March 8, in Brookville, N.Y. First pitch is slated for 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 (
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