LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – After trailing 2-1 heading into the eighth inning,
Nico Azpilcueta emerged as the hero, delivering a go-ahead two-RBI single to give Stony Brook a 3-2 lead, ultimately securing a 4-2 road victory over Rider on Wednesday afternoon in New Jersey.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Seawolves struck first in their opening trip to the plate, taking an early 1-0 lead. Johnny Pilla ignited the rally with a one-out walk, followed by stealing second and third base. Azpilcueta then brought in Pilla on a sacrifice fly, giving the Seawolves the advantage.
- Jacob Pedersen got the start for Stony Brook and began his outing with a 1-2-3 bottom of the first inning.
- Following a flyout to begin the second inning, Brett Davino drew a walk in his first start of the season, stole second base, and advanced to third on a flyout. However, he was left stranded, keeping the score at 1-0.
- Pedersen returned in the second inning, recorded a strikeout, and stranded two runners to end the frame.
- The Seawolves went down in order in the top of the third inning. Matt Sgambati then entered the game for Stony Brook in the bottom half and retired the Broncs in order, maintaining the 1-0 lead heading into the fourth.
- Azpilcueta led off the fourth inning with a walk but was ultimately stranded at second base.
- Evan Kay took the mound for Stony Brook in the fourth inning. After retiring the first two batters, he surrendered an RBI base hit, allowing Rider to tie the game at 1-1.
- Following a scoreless fifth inning for the Seawolves, Rider capitalized on an RBI single in their half of the frame to take a 2-1 advantage.
- Stony Brook stranded a runner on second to close the sixth inning. Alex Jankowski entered the game and worked around a leadoff single to keep the deficit at one.
- In his first career start, Scott Gell tallied a one-out single in the seventh inning and advanced to third by stealing two bases. However, Rider recorded a strikeout to escape the inning unscathed.
- Ty Panariello took over on the mound after the seventh-inning stretch and efficiently retired the side with two flyouts and a foulout to first base.
- Stony Brook responded in the eighth inning with an offensive surge, scoring three runs to take a 4-2 lead. Erik Paulsen was hit by a pitch to start the rally, followed by a single from Pilla. After a Rider pitching change, Azpilcueta delivered a clutch two-RBI single to put the Seawolves ahead 3-2. A few batters later, Carson added an insurance run with an RBI groundout.
- Panariello returned in the eighth, allowing a leadoff walk but inducing a double play and a foulout to preserve the two-run lead.
- In Rider's final attempt at a comeback in the ninth, Ryan Dieguez entered the game for the Seawolves and secured the victory.
STATS AND NOTES
- Stony Brook is now 4-1 all-time against Rider.
- The Seawolves have scored a run in the first inning in five of their last six games.
- Stony Brook turned three double plays, leading both the CAA and NCAA in double plays and double plays per game.
- The Seawolves have recorded at least five stolen bases in six of their last seven games, swiping six this afternoon.
- Azpilcueta has tallied an RBI in five of the last six games, matching his season-high with three in this contest. He finished 1-for-3 with a walk and the go-ahead base hit. He has reached base in every game this season.
- Pilla led the way with his eighth multi-hit game of the season, collecting two hits and scoring twice. He also recorded a season-high three stolen bases, marking his third multi-steal game of the year.
- Gell made his first start of the season, going 2-for-4 with his first career multi-hit game and first double of the season.
- Pedersen made his team-leading seventh appearance and second start of the season, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings with one strikeout and no hits allowed. It marked his second outing this season with at least 2.0 scoreless innings.
- Sgambati was perfect in his inning of work, retiring the side in order in the third inning.
- Canizares and Kay each surrendered a run and two hits in their inning of work.
- Jankowski recorded a scoreless inning of relief, his second shutout appearance of the season.
- Panariello locked down the seventh and eighth innings out of the bullpen, retiring six batters while allowing no hits and inducing a double play. This marks his third consecutive scoreless outing.
- Dieguez closed the game for Stony Brook, earning his first career save by stranding one runner and securing the 4-2 road victory.
NEXT UP
Stony Brook returns to action this weekend as they travel to Delaware for their first CAA series of the season. First pitch of the three-game set is scheduled for Friday at 5:00 p.m. and can be streamed live on FloBaseball.
