WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Pace University baseball team defeated Bentley University for the second day in a row, taking a 7-6 decision over the Falcons Sunday afternoon.
It was a strong start for Pace, as the Setters (9-1) took command early. Sophomore catcher
Hunter Goldstein (Jericho, N.Y./Jericho) got things started with a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the first, driving in a pair. A passed ball brought grad student outfielder
Mitchell McCabe (Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford/ Bridgton Academy) in to score as Pace took a 3-0 lead after one.
Sophomore
Vincent Civitella (Clifton, N.J./Clifton) was on the hill for the Setters Sunday and turned another quality performance. Civitella went seven innings, allowing one run on two hits and recording a career-high 10 strikeouts. He didn't allow a hit until the sixth inning and lowered his season ERA to 1.62.
Pace took advantage of Civitella's performance on the mound and added to its lead in the third. Sophomore shortstop
Mason Baronian (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley) drove in McCabe with an RBI single in the third, and Goldstein came in on a double play to make it 5-0.
The Setters picked up their sixth and seventh runs of the day in the fifth, when junior third baseman
Anthony Labita (North Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge) and freshman second baseman
Benjamin Tullo (Wappinger Falls, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham Senior) hit back-to-back RBI doubles to left.
Civitella had his lone blemish in the top of the seventh, when Tim Zupkus homered to left with two out in the inning.
The Falcons (5-3) got back into the game in the eighth, putting up five runs to narrow the score to one run. A bases-loaded hit by pitch and walk made it a 7-3 score, and a sacrifice fly brought in the fourth run for Bentley.
Then with still only one out, Zupkus singled to bring in one more. Another walk with the bases full forced in the final run of the inning, but the Setters were able to escape the eighth still holding on to the lead.
In the top of the ninth, junior
Dan Brown (East Northport, N.Y./John Glenn) came on for the save and shut the door, putting the Falcons down in order to secure the 7-6 victory.
Up Next
Pace and Bentley play the final game of their three-game Florida series Monday, March 13. Game time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
