Box Score (XML) | Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) | Staten Island Advance Recap

Bridgeport, CT –  The Wagner baseball team couldn't overcome a late rally from the Sacred Heart University Pioneers, falling 6-5, in game one of Saturday's Northeast Conference (NEC) doubleheader at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, CT.

With the loss, the Seahawks fall to 24-18-1 on the year and 12-6 in the NEC while the Pioneers improve to 16-27-1; 9-9 in league play. Wagner falls a game behind Bryant University for the top stop in the conference as the Bulldogs defeated Fairleigh Dickinson, 14-4, in game one of its doubleheader.

Senior Nick Dini (Monroe Township, NJ/Monroe Township) went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs to pace the offense for the Seahawks.  Freshman DH Anthony Godino (Thornwood, NY/Pleasantville) and senior 1B Tommy Mazurkiewicz (Neshanic Station, NJ/Somerville) recorded a RBI apiece in defeat.

Senior right-hander Nick Pavia (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph By The Sea) suffered his first loss of the season in relief of starter Matt Morris (Matawan, NJ/St. John Vianney). Pavia allowed two runs (one earned) while striking out two and walking one.

Wagner opened the contest with three runs in the first frame. After back-to-back walks were issued to senior CF Trey Nicosia (State College, PA/State College Area) and sophomore SS Nick Mascelli (Clifton, NJ/Seton Hall Prep), junior LF Ben Ruta (West Windsor, NJ/West-Windsor Plainsboro South) sent a hot-shot to the Pioneers 2B Ted Shaw, who bobbled the transfer attempt to load the bases. Dini then delivered a single to right field to plate the first run.

Mazurkiewicz drove in the second run of the frame on a grounder to the second baseman as Mascelli trotted home. Godino was able to avoid the tag up the first base side by Pioneers 1B Victor Sorrento as Ruta came in to give Wagner an early 3-0 lead. 

In the bottom of the first, Sacred Heart had runners on the corners with one out when Sorrento sent a high fly ball to right. Senior RF Zack Yesko (Mukwonago, WI/Mukwonago) camped under the ball to record the second out and alertly fired a one-hopper to Gordon and nailed Sullivan trying to score, preserving the 3-0 lead.

SHU scored three times in the bottom of the second to tie the game at 3-3.  Shaw flied out to Ruta in left as PJ DeFilippo tagged up from third to score the Pioneers first run of the contest.  Keaton Flint singled through the right side, scoring Anthony Capozziello before Sullivan tied the game with a single up the middle as Flint scored.

With Ruta on first after a lead-off single to right, Dini, facing a 3-2 count, took the pitch deep to left field as the ball traveled over the wall as Wagner regained the lead at 5-3 as the Monroe Township, NJ native became Wagner's all-time career hit leader.
 
The Pioneers trimmed the lead back down to one, 5-4, in the bottom of the frame as Cody Doyle singled to right field, scoring Sorrento from second base. The
Seahawks avoided further damage as Morris induced an inning-ending grounder to second.

In the bottom of the sixth, Flint reached on an error by Mascelli which allowed Alex Perry, who came on as a pinch-runner, to score from second base.  Seahawks' closer Steven Bloodworth (Annandale, NJ/North Hunterdon) gave up the eventual game-winner as Jesus Medina singled to third base, beating out the throw from Mazzio as Flint crossed the plate.  Wagner was then retired in order in the top of the seventh as SHU recorded the comeback win.

Follow Wagner Athletics on Twitter and Instagram (@wagnerathletics) for all the latest news and updates on the athletic department and follow @WagBaseball on Twitter for news and updates on the baseball program.