PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – With a three-RBI performance from freshman
Andrew Heppner, Pace baseball earned a 5-1 victory over the Lions of Molloy University. Kicking off the four-game series against Molloy, the Setters utilized strong hitting a pitching to earn a key out-of-conference win at home.
After Thursday's action, the Blue and Gold improve to 18-16 overall and remain 8-9 in the Northeast-10.
Here's What Happened
- After both squads escaped trouble in the opening two innings, the bottom half of the third opened up the contest for the Setters. Leading off with a single from Brayden Sweppenhiser, Pace was in position to post the first run of the day as Heppner stepped up to bat. Given a fastball down the middle of the plate, the freshman launched a round-tripper over the left field fence to put Pace on top early, 2-0.
- With a two-run advantage, Robert Gilchrist kept the Lions in check on the bump, tossing 4.1 innings, with two strikeouts and one earned run. Heading into the sixth, Pace led by one run, 2-1.
- After a scoreless sixth inning, the Setters crossed home plate in the seventh off an RBI single from Anthony Labita, making the score 3-1. On the mound, Cristian Rodriguez limited the Lions' chances, keeping the game at 3-1 moving into the eighth.
- With two runners on and one out, Pace drove in another run behind a searing single up the middle from Luke Rivara. Before the inning ended, a sacrifice fly-out from Heppner produced the fifth run of the afternoon as the Setters held a four-run lead moving into the final inning.
- In the ninth, Anthony Apollaro brought an end to the contest with a 1-2-3 inning to wrap up Pace's 5-1 victory over Molloy.
Box Score Insights
- Heppner delivered once again for the Setters lineup, driving in three base runners on a 1-for-2 (2 walks) effort at the plate. In his first collegiate season, the Floral Park, N.Y. native has been magnificent as he currently leads the team in home runs (7), RBIs (26), and total bases (55).
- Labita (2-for-4, 1 RBI) and Rivara (2-for-4, 1 RBI) both supplied multi-hit efforts. Overall, the Blue and Gold tallied nine base-knocks compared to Molloy's five.
- The trio of Gilchrist (4.1 IP, 2K's), Rodriguez (3.0 IP, 2K's, win), and Apollaro (1.2 IP, 1K, save) shut down the dynamic offense of Molloy to help Pace earn their 18th win of the year.
Up Next (Molloy University)
Pace Baseball continues its four-game series against Molloy University with a Saturday twin-bill on the road beginning at 12:00 p.m. from Rockville Centre, N.Y.
