PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Pace University Baseball dropped a Northeast 10 Conference (NE10) doubleheader to No. 17 Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) on Saturday, falling 9-3 in a seven-inning game one before coming up short 9-5 in a nine-inning game two at Peter X. Finnerty Field. The Setters move to 22-25 overall, but secured a berth in the NE10 postseason, closing the regular season on Senior Day.
Game One (7 innings)
The Penmen jumped out early and never looked back in the opener. The visitors plated four runs in the first inning and followed with another four-run frame in the second to take an 8-0 lead. A solo home run in the third pushed the advantage to 9-0 before Pace responded.
The Setters broke through in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs to cut the deficit to 9-3. Crispino and Tullo helped spark the rally, while Carlucci drove in a run with an RBI single. Rodriguez followed with an RBI walk, and Caffrey added another RBI to cap the inning.
Pace finished with 11 hits in the contest, with Cimino, Crispino, Tullo and Rodriguez each recording multi-hit performances.
Despite the push, the early deficit proved too much as SNHU held the Setters scoreless over the final four innings.
Game Two (9 innings)
The second game featured a back-and-forth battle, with Pace taking the lead midway through before SNHU answered late.
The Penmen scored in the first, fourth, and sixth innings to build a 3-0 advantage, but Pace responded with a five-run fifth to take control.
White and Manganiello opened the inning with back-to-back hits before Carreras delivered a two-run double to tie the game. Sweppenhiser followed with a sacrifice fly to give Pace a 3-2 lead, and RBI singles from Carlucci and Jemison extended the lead to 5-2.
The lead was short-lived, as SNHU responded with a run in the sixth and surged ahead with a three-run seventh inning to reclaim a 6-5 edge. The visitors added insurance runs in the eighth and ninth to seal the win.
Manganiello led the offense with three hits, while Carreras recorded two doubles and two RBIs. White added two hits as Pace totaled 11 hits in the contest.
Despite the results, the Setters secured their place in the NE10 postseason and will now shift their focus to the conference tournament.
The Setters will travel to face Saint Anselm College in the opening round of the NE10 Championship on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. on the road.
