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Staten Island, NY – Behind a six run third inning, the Wagner baseball team extended its win streak to five straight as they defeated the Manhattan College Jaspers, 9-3, on Wednesday evening from Richmond County Bank Ballpark.

With the win, the Seahawks improve to 21-15-1 on the season while remaining undefeated against teams from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), picking up its fourth straight win.  Manhattan's three-game win streak was snapped as they fall to 14-28 on the season.

Sophomore SS Nick Mascelli (Clifton, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a RBI while senior 2B and reigning Northeast Conference Player of the Week Nick Dini (Monroe Township, NJ/Monroe Township), senior 1B Tommy Mazurkiewicz (Neshanic Station, NJ/Somerville) each had two hits. In addition, Dini and sophomore C Brendan Benecke (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Liberty) had 2 RBIs in the contest.  Fifth-year senior right-hander Nick Pavia (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph By The Sea) picked up the win after allowing just two hits and one run.

The Jaspers scored first as Joe McClennan flied out to left field, allowing Matt Forlow to tag-up from third and come across to score for an early 1-0 lead.  After being held scoreless in its half of the first, Wagner tied the game at one as newly crowned NEC Rookie of the Week Anthony Godino (Thornwood, NY/Pleasantville) sent the first pitch he saw to right field as Dini scored on the sacrifice fly.   

Pavia used five pitches to escape the top of the third with the final out coming as McClennan fouled out to the first baseman Mazurkiewicz.  In the bottom half of the frame, the Seahawks batted around, sending ten batters to the plate in their half of the third.

Freshman 3B Sean Mazzio (West Chester, PA/Salesianum School [DE]) started the inning with a walk.  When senior CF Trey Nicosia (State College, PA/State College Area) flied out for the first out, Mascelli picked up his teammate with a double through the right side, advancing Mazzio to third.  Facing a 1-1 count and two outs, Dini singled to center field, bringing in Mascelli and Mazzio to give Wagner its first lead of the game at 3-1.  Mazurkiewicz smashed a triple that reached the center field wall, allowing Dini to cross the plate for the fourth run of the inning. 

When Wagner added its fifth run on a error by the Manhattan shortstop, Benecke took a 1-2 fastball up the middle off Manhattan's reliever, Shawn Kanwisher, to give the Seahawks a six-run edge. The Seahawks tacked on an additional run in the bottom of the fourth as Mascelli scored on a wild pitch. 

Manhattan scored in the top of the seventh as Forlow singled to left field, scoring C Chris Reynolds before Wagner answered in the bottom of the inning with a bases loaded with to Mascelli as senior RF Zack Yesko (Mukwonago, WI/Mukwonago) trotted in to score as the Seahawks led, 9-2.   The Jaspers were able to plate its final run of the game in the top of the ninth as Brendan Bisset doubled down the left field line off of senior closer Steven Bloodworth (Annandale, NJ/North Hunterdon) but the veteran right-hander was able to strikeout Forlow on three pitches to seal the victory for the Seahawks.

Wagner will take its NEC-leading 9-3 record down to Emmitsburg, Maryland this weekend as they begin a four-game series with the Mountaineers beginning on May 1^st at 3:00 pm. 

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