April 23, 2008
Box Score
Staten Island, NY - Wagner pounded Iona 11-4 in non-conference action at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark. The Green & White used a 16-hit attack to score 11 runs in improving to 16-19 while the Gaels fell to 1-34.
Nine different Seahawks hit safely led by sophomore Kevin McDonnell (Bristol, CT / Avon Old Farms) and freshman Brian Martutartus (Carlsbad, CA / La Costa Canyon). McDonnell was a perfect 4-4 at the plate with two runs and a RBI while Martutartus was 3-4 with a run and a RBI. Freshman Seth Boyd (Perth Amboy, NJ / Perth Amboy) also collected multiple hits going 2-4 with two RBI while sophomore Kevin Payne (Staten Island, NY / St. Peter's) was 2-2 with a double and a run to round out the top-performers for the offense.
Wagner struck first in the bottom of the second. Freshman Jon Lucas (Hackettstown, NJ / Hackettstown) drew a one-out walk. Sophomore Joe Conforti (Staten Island, NY / Farrell) then connected on a two-run home run, the first of his career, to right-center to put the Green & White in front 2-0.
Iona would counter with a run of their own in the top of the third. Joe Lorenzo singled home Mike Walraven, who had led off with a walk before moving over to second on a Allie Abatello single. Andrew Passarelle then delivered a single to load the bases with no outs to force the Green & White into their bullpen. Freshman Ian Karllson (Brooklyn, NY / Xaverian) entered and did not disappoint. The crafty righty induced a pop out before striking out the next two batters looking.
The Seahawks would strike for two more runs in the bottom of the third. Boyd laced a two-run single to right field, plating sophomore Damian Csakai (Freehold, NJ / Freehold) and McDonnell, who had each singled.
After doubling to lead off the inning, Payne scored on wild pitch in the fourth to make it 5-1 Wagner.
In the fifth, Boyd doubled with two outs before junior Chris Drechsel (Cranford, NJ / Cranford) plated Boyd with a double of his own, extending the lead out to 6-1.
The Seahawks put the game away in the sixth with four runs before taking an 11-1 lead in the seventh.
Iona would score three in the top of the eighth before sophomore RHP Brian Miller (Pittsburgh, PA / North Hills) pitched a hitless ninth to secure the victory.
Karlsson struck out two while yielding just one hit over 3.0 scoreless innings to improve to 2-0 on the year. Also looking good out of the bullpen was senior Chris Marino (Manalapan, NJ / Manalapan) and junior Dave Gerhardt (Worcester, MA / Bancroft). Marino threw 2.0 hitless innings while Gerhardt struck out the side in the eighth.
Sean Darsee yielded six runs over 5.0 innings in falling to 0-2.
Walraven, Lorenzo and Passerelle all had two hits to lead the Gaels.
Wagner is next in action on Friday, April 25 at Mount St. Mary's. First pitch is slated for 3:00 pm.