PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Despite a pair of strong one-run efforts out of their starters, the Pace University baseball team dropped two games against Northeast-10 Conference foe Franklin Pierce University on Sunday afternoon. The 4-0 and 3-2 losses move the Setters' record to 7-6-1 this season while their conference record now stands at 2-2.

Inside the Numbers
*As has been the theme of the season, the Setters got big contributions from their starting pitchers. Thomas Ippolito (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) went 5.2 innings in the opener, allowing one run on six hits and a walk while striking out four.

*Alex Busby (Landing, NJ/Roxbury / County College of Morris) was equally as impressive in his first start of the season in Game Two, tossing five innings and giving up one run on four hits and two walks with three punchouts.

*Lorenzo Russo (East Northport, NY/Commack) pitched three scoreless while allowing just one hit to close out the backend of the doubleheader to keep Pace within striking distance.

*Paul Piccolino (Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell) began the day with a 3-for-4 game at the plate in Game One while collecting another single in the finale. His batting average sits at a team-leading .396.

*Ryan Crowley (Cornwall on Hudson, NY/Iona Prep/Monmouth) was the leading contributor at the dish in Game Two, going 2-for-3 with an RBI double.

Game One Recap – Franklin Pierce 4, Pace 0
Shutout for the first time this season, the Setters bats were stymied by Ravens starter Zach Hart, who tossed a five-hit complete game.

The Setters threatened early in the first, with runners on first and second with one away. A single off the bat of Michael Gulino (Meriden, CT/Maloney) put the Setters in position to take the first-inning lead, but Piccolino was tagged out at the plate to keep Pace scoreless.

The Setters would record three more hits for the rest of the game, never getting a baserunner past first. Franklin Pierce would break the scoreless tie in the top of the sixth, as a leadoff single eventually came around to score on a sacrifice fly. The Ravens would add three more runs in the eighth, as Pace's final ten batters were retired for Franklin Pierce to take the 4-0 decision in the opener.

Game Two Recap – Franklin Pierce 3, Pace 2
Another pitcher-dominated performance got underway with three combined hits between both teams through the first three innings. Franklin Pierce would open up the scoring in the top of the fourth off a sacrifice fly, but Busby retired the next two Ravens to come to the plate to hold Franklin Pierce to a 1-0 lead.

The Setters would respond in the bottom half with their first run of the day. With two men away, Michael Barbato (Sparkill, NY/Tappan Zee) reached first on a hit by pitch and moved up to second on a wild pickoff attempt. Crowley would capitalize on the runner in scoring position, driving a pitch into the left center gap for an RBI double that even the game at 1-1.

Busby found himself in trouble in the next inning, allowing three straight Ravens to reach after retiring the first two batters. The junior southpaw was able to escape the jam with his third and final strikeout of the contest to bring his day to an end.

The Setters could only work their way out of danger for so long, as Franklin Pierce began another two-out rally in the sixth. After Joe Pizzingrillo (Garden City, NY/Chaminade) got the first two outs, a hit by pitch and error set the Ravens' Brad Roberto up to do some damage, connecting with a two-run double. The Ravens lead would be held at 3-1 as Russo delivered three scoreless innings for the Setters out of the pen.

Pace would threaten in the seventh following back-to-back hit by pitches to open the inning, but were unable to advance the baserunners any further. The Setters were able to get their best opportunity of the day against the tough Ravens pitching staff in the bottom of the ninth. The Setters began the inning with their first three men reaching on a walk, single, and error. Alex Pia (Guilford, CT/Xavier) would drive in Barbato as the next batter, but grounded out into a double play in the process. Brian Bohlander (Stony Point, NY/North Rockland) stepped up to the plate with the tying run 90 feet away at third, but struck out to end the contest as Franklin Pierce completed the sweep, 3-2.

Up Next
An eight-game homestand continues for Pace on Wednesday afternoon. The Blue and Gold will host Adelphi University at Finnerty Field for a 3:30 p.m. start.