May 20, 2006
Box Score
Game Two Box Score
STATEN ISLAND, NY - Fueled by record-setting pitching performances from redshirt-junior rhp Andrew Bailey (Haddon Heights, NJ / Paul VI) and sophomore lhp Joe Testa (Brick, NJ / Brick) the Wagner College Seahawks swept today's doubleheader from Monmouth by scores of 3-1 and 2-1. The Seahawks won the second-game on freshman Andrew Huebner's (Hatfield, PA / North Penn) walk-off home run over the right-field fence with one out in the bottom of the seventh. With the victories Wagner keeps alive its NEC playoff hopes as they improve to 16-32 overall and 14-9 in the NEC while Monmouth falls to 27-21 and 14-8 in the NEC with the winner of tomorrow's get-away game taking the fourth and final NEC Tournament berth.
In game one, Bailey and junior Joseph DiGeronimo (Hawthorne, NJ / Hawthorne) were the storylines. DiGeronimo went 3-4 with two home runs, a double and all three Wagner RBI. He hit the first pitch he saw in the game's first inning over the right-centerfield wall before doubling home senior Mike Picarello (Clifton, NJ / Clifton) in the second and then capping his monster game with his second homer over the right field fence in the bottom of the fourth.
Bailey improved to 3-0 on the season while striking out eight and yielding one run on four hits in 6.2 innings of work. His eight strikeouts now give him 230 for his illustrious career, moving him past former teammate Mike McTamney (229 K) for first place on the Seahawks career strikeout-list.
The game was not without drama as Monmouth loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the seventh against Bailey. Bailey then walked pinch-hitter Brett Holland to put the Hawks on the scoreboard at 3-1. Junior rhp Dan Lanzano (E. Brunswick, NJ / E. Brunswick) then was summoned from the bullpen and promptly struck out Monmouth's top hitter Nick Massari to close out the game for his fourth save of the year.
Vince Grande (1-1) gave up two runs on two hits and three walks in 1.1 innings in taking the loss.
In game two, Testa set the tone for the game early striking out the side in the top of the first on just 11 pitches.
Wagner opened the game's scoring in the bottom of the third. Freshman Pete Delleani (Manalapan, NJ / CBA) singled to left field to open the inning. DiGeronimo then advanced Delleani to second with a bunt base hit up the first base line. Delleani then moved to third on a fly out and was brought in on an Ed Sudol (Wallington, NJ / Wallington) sacrifice fly.
Wagner missed a golden opportunity to add to their lead in the bottom of the fourth as they could not score despite a first and third no out situation.
Monmouth's Rick Niederhaus then tied up the game at 1-1 with a lead-off home run in the top of the fifth.
The score would stay that way until the bottom of the seventh when Huebner blasted the first pitch he saw over the right field fence to give the Seahawks the victory by a 2-1 score.
Testa (6-4) struck out 11 and gave up just one run on three hits in picking up his fourth complete-game of the season. His 11 strikeouts also give him 88 for the season, breaking Bailey's single-season record of 84 set in 2004.
Brach was the tough-luck loser for Monmouth falling to 6-4 while striking out four and yielding two runs on just five hits in 6.1 innings.
DiGeronimo led the Green & White at the plate going 4-7 with two home runs a double and three RBI while Delleani and junior Matt Mastrianni (Ringoes, NJ / Hunterdon Central) each had two hits in the doubleheader.
The two teams will meet tomorrow, May 21 at 12 pm with a spot in the NEC Tournament on the line.
