BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The Pace University baseball team exploded for 23 runs in a massive victory, as the Setters defeated the University of Bridgeport 23-0 in seven innings Wednesday, April 12 on the road.
The Setters (21-7, 4-4 NE10) scored in the first six innings of play, starting with three in the opening inning. Junior third baseman Anthony Labita (North Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge) got things started with a solo home run, then sophomore catcher Hunter Goldstein (Jericho, N.Y./Jericho) drove one in on a fielder's choice. An error on the same play allowed grad student outfielder Luke Jacobi (Edison, N.J./JP Stevens) to score as well, giving Pace a 3-0 lead.
Freshman pitcher Robert Gilchrist (New Milford, Conn./North Salem) got the start on the mound for Pace and had a quality performance. The freshman retired the first six batters he faced and went five innings, allowing no runs on four hits while striking out five Bridgeport (7-27) batters.
Pace put up nine more runs in the second, starting with an RBI single from sophomore outfielder Josh Miller (Clifton, N.J./Clifton), who led the team with four runs batted in on the day. Labita then picked up his second extra-base hit on the afternoon, doubling down the right field line to score one. With runners on second and third, Jacobi came to the plate and connected on a two-run single to right, extending the lead to 7-0.
Goldstein and sophomore shortstop Mason Baronian (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley) then hit back-to-back RBI singles, pushing the Setters' lead to nine runs. Miller, batting for the second time in the inning, came up with the bases loaded and blasted a bases-clearing double to left, scoring three and making it a 12-0 game.
After another 1-2-3 inning by Gilchrist, Pace's offense went right back to work in the third. With two out and two on, junior outfielder Luke Rivara (Lake Worth, Fla./Saint John Paul II Academy) brought the pair in, singling to left field as the Setters went up by 14 after three innings.
The visitors continued to pile up the runs in the fourth, scoring six more times. An RBI groundout by Jacobi got things started, then with the bases loaded and two out, Baronian brought in two more with a double to left. Pace loaded the bases once again after a walk, and freshman second baseman Benjamin Tullo (Wappinger Falls, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham Senior) cleared them with a three-run double down the left field line to put Pace ahead by 20.
The Setters got another run across in the fifth following a Purple Knights error, and in the sixth picked up two more. Labita drove in another run on an RBI single for his third run driven in of the day, and freshman outfielder Justin Crispino (Commack, N.Y./Commack) picked up a run-scoring single with two out, providing the final run of the day for Pace.
Freshman Tyler Rodriguez (Highland Mills, N.Y./Cornwall Central) and senior Marco Siracusa (Kinnelon, N.J./Bergen Catholic) went the final two innings on the mound for Pace, not allowing a baserunner as the Setters picked up a 23-0 victory over Bridgeport to improve to 21-7 on the season.
Miller had three hits, four RBI and three runs scored on the day, while Labita had four hits, four runs scored and drove in three. Jacobi, Tullo and Baronian had three RBI apiece, and the Setters as a team had 10 different players record a hit, with eight players getting at least one RBI.
Up Next
The Setters now return to NE10 play, as they host Assumption University in a doubleheader Saturday, April 15. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
