STONY BROOK, N.Y. — After falling behind 3-0 in the third inning to LIU (0-11, 0-0 NEC), the Seawolves offense would score 15 unanswered runs over the next six innings, providing the runway for a 15-5 victory for the Stony Brook baseball program in their home-opener on Wednesday afternoon at Joe Nathan Field.
With this victory, head coach Matt Senk became the seventh active coach in DI baseball to win 900 games with one school. He is one of 31 active coaches in DI baseball to reach 900 wins and is the 15th winningest active head coach in the nation.
Leading the Seawolves offense was their middle of the order tandem of graduate Evan Giordano and senior Shane Paradine.
After going 3-for-5 with 5 RBI in yesterday's victory over Fordham University, Giordano carried the momentum into today by tallying a career-high five hits, as the third baseman was 5-for-6 at the plate with two RBI and scored two runs. Paradine also had a career day at the plate by going 4-for-5 with two RBI and scored two runs. It was only the fifth time in his career that Paradine recorded four hits.
On the bump for Stony Brook was senior Brandon Lashley making his 12th start of his career and first of the season. Lashley began his start by striking out three of the first seven Sharks that he faced. After giving up three runs in the third, Lashley settled in as the right-hander did not allow a run over his next three innings and surrendered two hits.
Similarly to yesterday's victory over Fordham, the squad fell behind to an early deficit but responded right away. In the bottom half of the third, the Seawolves sent all nine batters to the plate and tallied six runs in the inning to take the 6-3 advantage.
The top of the order started the rally for Stony Brook as junior Evan Fox led off the inning with a base-hit, followed by a knock by sophomore Matt Miceli. Then, Giordano and Paradine captured their first RBI of the day after back-to-back base-hits. Following a fielder's choice by junior Matt Brown-Eiring that drove in Giordano, senior Derek Yalon capped off the inning with a two-RBI triple to center field.
Stony Brook continued to put the pressure on in the fourth and sixth innings by tallying two runs in each inning. In the fourth Giordano and Brown-Eiring both had RBI knocks and in the sixth inning, Paradine drove in a run from a screamer to center field and junior Ryan Micheli drew a walk, giving Stony Brook the 10-3 advantage.
That was all the Stony Brook pitching staff would need. In the seventh inning, freshman Jerek Hobb made his Stony Brook debut to finish the game for the Seawolves. The left-hander retired the first six batters he faced, punching out three, and ended his day by allowing two runs, one hit, and struck out four batters in the final three innings.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, freshman Jason Campo recorded his first-career hit and RBI by launching a ball over the center-fielder. After Micheli drove in Campo on a base-hit, freshman Matthew Wright drove in two runs with an RBI double down-the-line. Giordano capped the inning off by doubling down-the-line for an RBI, giving Stony Brook the 15-5 lead and ultimately the victory.
STATS AND NOTES
- In his 33 years at the helm of the Stony Brook baseball program, coach Senk has led the Seawolves in 1,521 games and recorded his 900th victory today. Senk became the 126th coach in college baseball history to achieve 900 career wins and just the seventh active coach in DI to win 900 games. Also, Senk became the 31st active coach with 900 career wins and is 15th winningest active head coach in DI baseball.
- Giordano's five-hit game was a new career-best for the graduate student. In his last four games, the New Jersey native is 11-for-17 with 8 RBI, 2 home runs, and scored three runs. For the season, the third baseman has a .426 batting average, which is third in the CAA. Also, he is second in the conference with 20 hits this season and third in the CAA with 16 RBI. His 5 hit performance was the most in a game for a Seawolf since Nick Grande went 6 for 6 against Binghamton in 2018.
- Paradine had his best day at the plate this season after tallying four hits, two RBI, and scoring two runs. It was the first time Paradine tallied four hits since April 17, 2022 against Binghamton and the fifth time of his career.
- Brown-Eiring and Yalon each went 1-for-4 at the plate with two RBI.
- In his team-high fourth appearance of the season and first start of the year, Lashley tossed 6.0 innings, allowing three earned-runs, seven hits, and six punch outs. The six punch outs tied a career-high for Lashley, as he tallied six innings against UAlbany on April 9, 2022.
- Stony Brook recorded a season-high in runs (15), hits (20), at-bats (45), triples (3), and stolen-bases (3).
- The pitching-staff had 10 strikeouts this afternoon, which tied the season-high against Troy on February 25th.
- The Seawolves are now 2-2 all-time against LIU.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
"For myself to hear that number, it's truly unbelievable. It makes me extremely proud of all our players, coaches, and support staff that helped get to this point. It's humbling to be in a position where I was able to reach a milestone like this and I am beyond appreciative of my players, their families, my coaches, the university, and my family". - head coach Matt Senk on his 900th victory.
"I had really good fastball command and felt like I could control any pitch, in any count. The cutter today was the best it's been all year and I felt that I located that pitch very well. I just kept making pitchers and trusted our terrific defense. It's easy to pitch when you have the guys that will make all the plays behind you ." - senior pitcher Brandon Lashley
"It was great to get out there and pick up a huge win. It was nice to get some barrels today and I've been feeling more comfortable at the plate. Our guys played great all around and it was awesome to get the victory today." - senior third baseman Evan Giordano
NEXT UP
The Seawolves open a three-game set with Lafayette College this weekend, with first pitch Friday slated for 3 p.m., at Joe Nathan Field. Saturday is set for 1 p.m., and Sunday has a Noon first pitch scheduled.
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