STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The Stony Brook baseball team tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the first after an early rally by Columbia, but the Lions responded with three runs in the second and went on to defeat the Seawolves, 6-3, on Tuesday afternoon at Joe Nathan Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Right-hander Evan Kay made his first career start for Stony Brook. The freshman allowed two runs with two outs in the first inning, giving Columbia an early 2-0 lead.
- The Seawolves responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Erik Paulsen worked a one-out walk, and Nico Azpilcueta followed with a two-run home run over the left field fence to tie the game at 2-2.
- Columbia retook the lead in the top of the second with a three-run frame to make it 5-2. Scott Gell led off the bottom of the second with a walk, but the Seawolves were unable to capitalize.
- Matthew Canizares entered in the third and stranded runners at the corners to keep the deficit at three.
- Stony Brook added a run in the bottom of the third. Nick Zampieron reached base and came around to score on an RBI double to left center by Chanz Doughty, trimming the lead to 5-3.
- Both teams stranded runners in the fourth inning.
- Canizares returned for the fifth and worked around a leadoff walk with a 6-6-3 double play and a groundout. Stony Brook was held scoreless in the bottom half after Zampieron was hit by a pitch to start the frame.
- In the sixth, Columbia threatened again but Canizares got another double play to end the inning. The Seawolves went down in order in their half.
- After a strong 4.0-inning scoreless outing by Canizares, Jack Sgambati entered in the seventh and retired the side in order, striking out one. Brett Davino drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh but was stranded.
- Columbia extended the lead to 6-3 with a solo home run in the eighth.
- Azpilcueta singled to start the bottom of the eighth and advanced to second after a foul out. Following a walk by Johnny Pilla, Columbia retired the next two batters to end the rally.
- Ryan Dieguez tossed a clean top of the ninth, striking out two. Davino drew another leadoff walk to start the final rally, but the Lions held on to secure the 6-3 win.
STATS AND NOTES
- Azpilcueta tallied two of Stony Brook's three hits, launching his CAA-leading 14th home run of the season and adding a double, two RBI, and a run scored. He has now reached base in all 38 games this season and extended his hitting streak to seven games.
- Doughty recorded his 35th RBI and 11th double of the season.
- Kay made his first career start, tossing 2.0 innings and allowing five runs on three hits.
- Canizares tossed a career-high 4.0 scoreless innings in relief, allowing just two hits.
- Sgambati went 2.0 innings, giving up one run on one hit—his third 2.0-inning appearance of the year.
- Dieguez recorded his seventh scoreless outing of the season, retiring the side in the ninth with two strikeouts.
- Stony Brook's leadoff hitters reached in six of nine innings (.667).
- The Seawolves turned two more double plays and now lead the CAA with 37 on the season.
- Stony Brook struck out just once in the game, matching a season low.
- The Seawolves dropped to 7-4 all-time against Columbia, snapping their six-game winning streak in the series.
NEXT UP
The Seawolves return to the diamond this weekend as they host William & Mary for a three-game set at Joe Nathan Field. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and the game will stream live on FloCollege.
