BRONX, N.Y. — Sophomore JT Raab produced a dominant performance out of the pen, going a career-best five innings in relief without allowing a run and surrenderd just one hit as the Stony Brook baseball team (1-9, 0-0 CAA) garnered their first win of the season, 8-4 over Fordham University (0-11, 0-0 A-10)
After falling behind to a 3-0 deficit in the first inning, the Seawolves would return the favor back in the third inning with two runs of their own from a home run by graduate Evan Giordano that drove in sophomore Matt Miceli, making it a one run game.
The home run by Giordano was his second of the season, both coming in the last three games, and 24th of his career which ties Stony Brook legend Willie Carmona for 5th most in program history.
Getting the nod for Stony Brook was junior Quinlan Montgomery. Following the three runs in the first inning, the Virginia native allowed just one run and two hits over the next three innings.
Fordham would respond right back with a run of their own in the fourth, but senior Derek Yalon started the one-out rally the next inning by doubling down the line. Following a ground-ball by sophomore Chris Leone that advanced Yalon to third, junior Evan Fox brought Yalon home by mashing his third home run in the last four games, tying the game at 2-2.
In the fifth inning, Raab entered the game and shut down the Fordham bats for the next five innings, giving Stony Brook the chance to take the lead. Raab retired the first 10 batters that he faced, and sat down 15 of the 16 hitters that he faced.
The Seawolves would erupt in the ninth inning by getting eight batters to the plate and tallying four runs. Senior Brett Paulsen started the rally with his second hit of the afternoon, followed by Yalon reaching on an error, and Leone drawing a walk to load the bases. Then, Miceli would take the free-pass on a walk, giving Stony Brook the 5-4 lead.
Giordano put the exclamation point on it by shooting a ball to the fence in left, bringing in three runs, and giving Stony Brook the 8-4 victory.
STATS AND NOTES
- Giordano's homer was the second of the season and 24th of his career, tying Willie Carmona for fifth all-time. In six out of the 10 games this year, Giordano has recorded multiple hits and is 6-for-11 in his last with two home runs and 7 RBI in the last three games. This afternoon, the graduate was 3-for-5 at the plate, tallying 5 RBI, a double, and a homer. He leads the team with a .366 batting average and 13 RBI.
- Fox extended his hit-streak to seven games after he hit his team-best third home run in the fifth inning. He has recorded a hit in 9 of 10 games this season and has scored a run in his last nine games. Fox also recorded two walks this afternoon.
- Paulsen recorded his third multi-hit game of the season after going 2-for-4 at the plate and scored a run.
- Raab, who made his third appearance of the season and career today, was dominant from start to finish as he didn't allow a run and just one hit over the final five innings out of the pen. Raab sat down 15 of the 16 hitters he faced, and struck out seven batters. This was the first career victory for Raab.
- With this victory, head coach Matt Senk now has 899 wins in his 33 seasons at the helm of the Stony Brook baseball program.
- Stony Brook drew a season-high eight walks this afternoon.
UP NEXT
Stony Brook opens its 2023 home campaign tomorrow, March 8th, welcoming LIU for a 2 p.m., first pitch at Joe Nathan Field.
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