March 21, 2009

Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Senior Keith Fier's (Armonk, N.Y.) go-ahead RBI double highlighted a four-run sixth as the Stony Brook University baseball team rallied for an 8-4 victory over the Le Moyne Dolphins in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at University Field. Freshman Nick Tropeano (West Islip, N.Y.) allowed just two runs in 7.0 innings to lead SBU to a 3-2 win over the Dolphins in the second game. Stony Brook improves to 4-7 with the two victories while Le Moyne falls to 3-12.

Le Moyne jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the first game, getting two runs in the first off Stony Brook senior right hander Mike Errigo (Bayside, N.Y.) on run-scoring hits from Chris Haynes and Sean Paino. But the Seawolves rallied to tie it in the second on a RBI groundout from Fier and a run-scoring single from senior Brian Witkowski (Lindenhurst, N.Y.).

The Dolphins regained the lead with a run in the fourth on a Joe Lombardi RBI double. Le Moyne then tacked on a run in the fifth as Matt Nandin singled with one out, moved to second on a wild pitch and then came home on another RBI single from Paino. Senior Michael Tansey (Valley Stream, N.Y.) had an answer in the bottom of the fifth though as he smashed a two-out two-run home run over the left field fence to tie the game at 4-all.

Stony Brook then took the lead for good in the sixth, striking for four runs. Senior Steve Mazzurco (Selden, N.Y.) led off the inning with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from junior Chris Maier (Farmingdale, N.Y.) and then scored on Fier's run-scoring double. Fier scored a batter later as sophomore Chad Marshall (Paris, Ontario) grounded to the first basman Lombardi, who just missed throwing out Fier at home. Junior Michael Stephan (Patchogue, N.Y.) and Tansey drove in the final two runs of the inning with run-scoring singles.

Senior Marc Brown (Lancaster, Pa.), who relieved Errigo to start the sixth, then pitched a scoreless seventh to secure the seven-inning game for the Seawolves. Brown (1-1) earned the victory for SBU, allowing just one hit in his 2.0 innings of relief. Jeff Tardiff took the loss for the Dolphins, allowing four earned runs and eight hits in 5.1 innings of work.

Le Moyne again grabbed an early lead in the second game, scoring a run in the third on a sacrifice fly from Nandin. The Dolphins added a run in the fourth as Paino reached on a fielder's choice and then came home on a run-scoring double from Mike Marra. The Seawolves cut the Le Moyne lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with two outs for freshman Pat Cantwell (West Islip, N.Y.) who then drew a walk to force in a run.

The Dolphins looked as if they would add to their lead in the sixth, loading the bases with one out. But Tropeano struck out Lombardi and Rich Brown swinging to get out of the jam.

Stony Brook would grab the lead with two runs in the seventh though as Witkowski singled to lead off the inning and moved to second when Marshall was hit by the pitch. Sophomore Nick Thode (Huntington Station, N.Y.) then grounded to the shortstop Nandin, who threw it to Brett Botsford at second to get the force out. But Botsford then threw the ball wide of first as he tried to complete the double play, allowing Witkowksi to score and Thode to move to second. Stephan followed by grounding to Lombardi, who let the ball get by him as Thode came around with the go-ahead run.

Junior Jeremy Nowak (Cheektowaga, N.Y.) then pitched 2.0 scoreless innings to pick up his first save of the season. Tropeano struck out seven in his 7.0 innings of work and did not walk a batter. Brandon Otto took the loss for Le Moyne as he gave up two runs, one earned, in his 1.1 innings of relief.

The teams conclude the four-game series on Sunday with a doubleheader at University Field. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.