CARY, N.C. – On Sunday morning in Cary, N.C., Pace University Baseball wrapped up its opening weekend at the USA Baseball Complex, closing a four-game neutral-site slate against regional competition to begin the 2026 season. After a competitive start through the middle innings, the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown used a decisive seventh-inning rally to pull away for an 11–3 victory, sending the Setters back to Pleasantville at 0-4 to start the year.
Pitt-Johnstown seized early momentum in the third inning. A lead-off double and a walk set the stage before a two-run triple pushed the score to 2–0. The visitors added more runs in the fifth on an RBI double, building a 4–0 advantage as the game moved into the late innings.
The Setters generated consistent pressure offensively despite the deficit.
Cristian Rodriguez and
Rocco Cimino delivered back-to-back singles in the third to spark an opportunity, and Brayden Sweppenheiser ignited the sixth with a double to left.
Dominic Rivara followed with a single to put runners on the corners, but Pitt-Johnstown escaped the jam to maintain the four-run cushion.
The contest turned in the top of the seventh when Pitt-Johnstown capitalized on walks and timely extra-base hits to plate seven runs, stretching the margin to 11–0.
The Setters answered immediately in the bottom half.
Justin Crispino reached to open the inning, and Cimino and Sweppenheiser followed with base hits to keep the rally alive.
Rivara delivered a two-run single to put Pace on the board, trimming the score to 11–2.
Anthony Depetro added an RBI knock later in the inning to cut the deficit to 11–3 and showcase the Blue and Gold's fight down the stretch.
Sweppenheiser led the offense with two hits, while Rodriguez and Rivara each recorded multi-hit performances as the Setters totaled 10 hits in the finale.
Ryan Degnan made the start and worked five innings before
Mike Dawson,
Brian Espinal, and
Noah Banick combined to close out the game.
Sunday's match-up marked the final contest in Cary for Pace University Baseball. The Setters now return home to Pleasantville and will host No. 20 Felician University on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
