DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Sophomore left-hander
Nicholas Rizzo delivered a dominant seven-inning performance, allowing just one run, while fellow sophomore
Erik Paulsen provided the go-ahead RBI in the eighth inning to lift the Seawolves to a 3-2 victory on Saturday night and secure the series-victory over Bethune-Cookman.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After the Seawolves were retired in order in the first inning, Rizzo walked the leadoff batter but quickly escaped the frame with a strikeout and a strike-'em-out, throw-'em-out double play by catcher Luke Szepek.
- Szepek ignited the Stony Brook offense in the second inning with his first career home run, clearing the left-field fence to give the Seawolves a 1-0 lead.
- Rizzo retired the next four batters before surrendering a hit but induced an inning-ending double play to maintain the 1-0 advantage through three innings.
- The Wildcats tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning after a double and a stolen base at home plate.
- Both teams remained scoreless until the eighth inning when senior Matt Miceli led off with a hit-by-pitch and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Paulsen, putting Stony Brook ahead 2-1.
- Jacob Pedersen took over in the bottom of the eighth, working around a leadoff double by retiring the next three batters to keep the lead intact.
- Graduate student Cam Santerre opened the ninth with a walk, advanced to second on a passed ball, and reached third on an error. Junior Chanz Doughty then reached on another error, allowing Santerre to score and extend the lead to 3-1.
- The Wildcats mounted a ninth-inning rally with a one-out double and an RBI single to make it 3-2, but Pedersen secured the victory with a game-ending flyout.
STATS AND NOTES
- Stony Brook secured its second consecutive victory over Bethune-Cookman in just their second-ever meeting.
- The Seawolves have started the season 2-0 for the first time since 2021.
- The Stony Brook defense was flawless, committing no errors and turning two double plays.
- Rizzo picked up his fourth career win, tossing 7.0 innings while allowing one run, two hits, one walk, and striking out four. This was his third career start of at least 7.0 innings.
- In his first career appearance with Stony Brook, Pedersen earned the save, pitching the final 2.0 innings with one run allowed and three strikeouts.
- Szepek homered in his first career start for the Seawolves.
- Paulsen contributed a hit and an RBI, tying for the team lead in hits through the first two games.
- Santerre led the offense with two hits, a walk, and a run scored.
NEXT UP
Stony Brook looks to complete the series sweep against Bethune-Cookman on Sunday. First pitch at Jackie Robinson Ballpark is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and will be streamed live on YouTube.
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