March 12, 2006
Box Score
ORLANDO, FL - The Wagner Seahawks dropped a 5-2 decision to UCF earlier today at Jay Bergman Field. With the loss the Seahawks fall to 0-5 while the Golden Knights hit the .500-mark (9-9) for the first time this season.
The Golden Knights jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second with a three-run home run by Steve Stropp. The Seahawks got two of those runs back in the top of the fourth as the Green & White dented the scoreboard for the first time this series when senior center fielder Nick Papa (Freehold, NJ / Freehold) singled through the right side plating junior left fielder Matt Mastrianni (Ringoes, NJ / Hunterdon Central). Classmate right fielder Ed Sudol (Wallington, NJ / Wallington) raced in following an error by the UCF defense on the play to make the score 3-2. Papa would then get thrown out trying to steal second and UCF's Jeremy Thorne retired the next two batters to end the Wagner threat.
UCF would tack on two more runs in the top of the sixth inning while chasing Wagner starter senior rhp Mike D'Angelis (Paramus, NJ / St. Joseph Regional). Despite falling to 0-2 on the season, D'Angelis gave the Seahawks a chance to win going 5.1 innings while yielding five runs and striking out four. Sophomore rhp Thomas Weston (Fair Haven, NJ / Rumson) relieved D'Angelis in the bottom of the sixth and got the Seahawks out of a bases loaded and one out jam with two strikeouts, allowing only one inherited runner to score. He closed out the game for the Seahawks going 2.2 innings, striking out three while yielding only two hits.
The Seahawks had a chance to answer in the bottom of the sixth inning as senior second baseman Joseph Malfettano (Toms River, NJ / Toms River North) singled to lead off the inning but was erased on the next play on a fielder's choice. Then UCF made an inning-ending double-play to stop the Seahawks rally. Wagner left two more on base in the top of the seventh and would not threaten again.
Mastrianni led the Seahawks at the plate going 2-4 with a run scored while Papa was 1-3 with a RBI.
Jeremy Thorne won his second game of the season for UCF striking out three in 5.1 innings
The Seahawks conclude their three-game series with the Golden Knights tomorrow night, March 13 at 6:30 pm.
