May 18, 2008
Box Score
Staten Island, NY - Wagner won its fourth-straight game with a narrow 2-1 win over Sacred Heart in game one of today's doubleheader at Richmond County Bank Ballpark. The Seahawks move to 27-25 and 17-10 in the Northeast Conference while the Pioneers fall to 11-41 and 9-18 in the NEC.
The Green & White are now 12-3 at home during NEC play and 10-3 in games decided by two runs or less.
Sacred Heart took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third. JJ Edwards and Chris Whittemore drew back-to-back two out walks before Tyler Santos singled through the right-side, scoring Edwards.
Wagner countered with a run of its own in the bottom part of the frame. Sophomore Damian Csakai (Freehold, NJ / Freehold) singled through the right-side on a 0-2 pitch. After stealing second, he was brought around when junior Chris Drechsel (Cranford, NJ / Cranford) also singled on a 0-2 offering.
The Seahawks assumed the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Freshman Joe Jamison (West Caldwell, NJ / James Caldwell) led off with a single to centerfield. Sophomore Tom DiPietro (Staten Island, NY / Felician) followed with a single of his own. Freshman Seth Boyd (Perth Amboy, NJ / Perth Amboy) bunted the pair over to second and third. One batter later, Jamison scored on a pass ball to make it 2-1 Wagner.
In the top of the sixth, Sacred Heart had the first two batters reach safely. Seahawk-closer Andrew Huebner (Hatfield, PA / North Penn) entered and after getting the lead runner on a sacrifice-attempt, he induced an inning-ending 3-6-1 double play.
In the top of the seventh with two runners on, Huebner induced a fielder's choice but on the throw to first Mike Drowne attempted to score from second but was thrown out at the plate on a perfect throw by sophomore Vin Avella (Matawan, NJ / CBA).
Huebner threw 2.0 innings of scoreless relief in picking up his NEC-leading 11th save of the year.
Junior RHP Andy Wells (Staten Island, NY / St. Peter's) improved to 2-4, striking out seven while yielding just one run over 5.0 solid innings.
Jared Balbach fell to 4-8 despite striking out six over 6.0 innings while yielding two runs, one earned.
Csakai, Drechsel and DiPietro all had two hits to lead the way for the Wagner-offense.
Santos was 2-2 with a RBI, pacing Sacred Heart.
