NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Pace University baseball team advanced to championship weekend of the NE10 Conference Championships, defeating Southern Connecticut State University 6-4 Tuesday, May 9 on the road for the team's first postseason victory since 2017.

After Pace (30-18, 9-11 NE10) went down in order in the top of the first, the Owls (29-16, 12-8 NE10) jumped out to a lead in the home half, getting a solo home run from Andrew Eng to take a 1-0 lead.

The Setters came roaring back, exploding for five runs in the top of the second to take the lead. After back-to-back infield singles by grad student outfielder Luke Jacobi (Edison, N.J./JP Stevens) and sophomore outfielder Josh Miller (Clifton, N.J./Clifton), grad student first baseman Nate Carminucci (Somers, N.Y./North Salem High School) tied the game with an RBI single to left. A bunt single gave Pace the lead, as sophomore catcher Hunter Goldstein (Jericho, N.Y./Jericho) beat one out to score Miller. A single by freshman infielder Benjamin Tullo (Wappinger Falls, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham Senior) then loaded the bases as Pace collected its fifth straight hit.

With two out, a bases loaded walk forced in a run, then junior third baseman Anthony Labita (North Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge) drove in a pair with a two-run single to right field, extending the lead to 5-1.

SCSU responded with three runs in the last of the second, cutting the Setters' lead to one at 5-4. After a single and hit batter started the inning, an error brought in the first run for the Owls. A sac bunt moved the runners to second and third, and with two out, Colin Mason delivered a two-run single for the home team.

The Owls had a chance to tie the game and possibly take the lead in the third, getting runners to second and third with two out. A walk loaded the bases, but grad student pitcher Michael Roll (Ramsey, N.J./Bergen Catholic High School) got a key popup to end the inning and hold the lead.

Neither team could put up a run in their next turn at bat, but SCSU threatened again in the fifth. A pair of singles and an error again put runners on second and third with two down, but senior pitcher Christian Aich (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) came on in relief for Pace and got Mason to flyout to keep the home team off the board.

The game then turned to the pitchers, as Aich and SCSU's Peter Phillips combined to allow no baserunners over the following two innings. The Setters were able to add to their lead in the top of the eighth, as Tullo picked up his third hit of the day with an RBI single to left. Miller was thrown out at the plate trying to score on the play, but Pace took a 6-4 lead late in the contest.

Both teams went down 1-2-3 in their next turns up to bat, bringing it to the bottom of the ninth. Eng started the inning off with a leadoff double, and senior pitcher Patrick Gleason (Valhalla, N.Y./Valhalla) came on in a rare relief appearance with one out. Gleason was able to shut the door and pick up the save, recording the final two outs to send the Setters on to championship weekend.

Tullo had three hits and one RBI on the day, while Labita drove in a pair. Roll and Aich were huge in relief for Pace, going a combined 6.2 innings while allowing no runs on five hits.

Up Next

The Setters now advance to championship weekend, where they will take on Bentley University Thursday, May 11. Game time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.