STONY BROOK, N.Y. -- The Stony Brook Seawolves took a 6-5 lead into the eighth inning, but a late comeback by the Fightin Blue Hens gave the road team a 9-6 victory on Saturday at Joe Nathan Field.
Senior Brendan Pattermann (1-1) took the loss on the mound for Stony Brook (24-24, 12-11 CAA) after he allowed four runs over 2.1 innings. Freshman Nicholas Rizzo was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going 1.1 shutout innings without allowing a hit, walking none and striking out two. Junior JT Raab got the start for the Seawolves and the right-hander allowed four runs, six hits, and struck out three batters over his 5.0 innings on the bump.
Offensively, the Seawolves were led by sophomore Johnny Pilla, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a double and an RBI. Senior Ryan Micheli compiled a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 2-for-2 with two walks. Sophomore Matthew Wright also contributed for Stony Brook, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding two RBI. Freshman Erik Paulsen has now reached base in 20 straight games after he recorded a hit in the defeat.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Following Raab stranding a runner at second base, the Seawolves would get on the board immediately in their half of the first inning. The squad starting their scoring with two runs in the frame. E. Paulsen wore a pitch and senior Matt Brown-Eiring tallied a single to shortstop to set up B. Paulsen. The senior drove in two runs for Stony Brook with a single that scored E. Paulsen and Brown-Eiring.
The Seawolves then lost some of their lead, expanding on their advantage in the second inning after the Fightin' Blue Hens cut it to 2-1. Stony Brook scored once on a run-scoring single off the bat of Micheli, which brought the Seawolves lead to 3-1.
Following the highlight reel double-play from B. Paulsen at first base, the Stony Brook offense would get back to work by tacking on another run to take the 4-1 advantage. The Seawolves recorded a run on Pilla's RBI double following the Matt Miceli hit that began the rally.
Stony Brook lost the lead they built in the fourth, but got back on the scoreboard in the sixth trailing 5-4. The Seawolves sent in two runs when a single from Wright scored Pilla and Micheli, bringing the Stony Brook advantage to 6-5. The Seawolves were unable to hold the lead, as Delaware scored four times over the remaining three innings to grab the 9-6 win.
STATS AND NOTES
- Stony Brook's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed two runs across.
- Stony Brook pitchers faced 41 Delaware hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out five.
- The Seawolves tied their season-high with three double plays turned this afternoon.
- Stony Brook had four two-out RBI in the defeat.
- B. Paulsen, Miceli, Brown-Eiring and Matthew Wright all registered a hit today.
- Micheli went 2-for-2 today and also drew two walks. It was his eighth multi-hit game of the year.
- Raab made his team-high 14th appearance of the season and his 10th start of the year this afternoon. He has tossed at-least 5.0 innings in his last nine appearances.
- Pilla led the Seawolves at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. It was his 10th multi-hit game of the season.
- E. Paulsen has now reached base in 20 straight games, the second longest streak on the team this season (Pilla - 25).
- Stony Brook moves to 14-7 at Joe Nathan Field this season.
- The Seawolves are 3-5 all-time against the Fightin' Blue Hens.
UP NEXT
The Seawolves return to Joe Nathan Field for the final time tomorrow as Stony Brook will celebrate it's Senior Day ceremony against Delaware. First pitch is slated for noon and can be streamed live on FloBaseball.
