Photo courtesy of Robert M. Pimpsner (PinstripedProspects.com)

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Lawrenceville, NJ –  In a back-and-forth midweek contest, the Wagner College baseball team defeated the Rider University Broncs, 14-7, on Wednesday afternoon.
 
With the victory, the Seahawks have now won two in a row while improving to 8-17 on the season. Rider falters to 13-16 on the year. The 14 Seahawk runs scored in this afternoon's contest are the second most the squad has tallied this season, as the team erupted for 19 back on February 24 against Grambling at the Mardi Gras Tournament, hosted by Nicholls State.
 
Five Seahawks had two or more hits on the day, led by junior LF Anthony Godino (Thornwood, NY/Pleasantville) who went 4-for-5 with four runs scored and drove in two RBIs. Sophomore 1B Phil Capra (North Salem, NY/North Salem) went 3-for-5 with a team-high three RBIs.
 
Junior SS Sean Mazzio (West Chester, PA/Salesianum School [DE]) and junior RF Kyle Cala (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) along with sophomore CF Joe Silvestrone (Manalapan, NJ/Freehold Township) each had two hits while combining to score five runs, as Silvestrone crossed the plate three times.
 
On the hill, freshman RHP Steven Bowley (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross Academy) earned his first collegiate win in relief, tossing 3.1 innings while giving up three hits, an unearned run while striking out one and walking two. First-year Seahawk RHP Rico Viani (Monroe Township, NJ/Monroe Township) made his first start of his college career, going two innings and allowing five runs on two hits, while walking four and striking out a batter in taking the no decision.
 
Wagner scored twice in their half of the first. Mazzio singled to center and advanced to third when Godino laced a single to left center field. On the ensuing pitch, Rider's starter, Anthony Arneth, was called for a balk, which plated Mazzio and moved Godino to second. Cala continued his hot hitting as he delivered an RBI single to center, plating Godino and giving Wagner a 2-0 lead.
 
Rider responded with three runs in the bottom of the first, all coming with two outs. Back-to-back walks to Lee Lipinski and Tyler Kaiser setup Mike Volaski, who doubled down the left field line, tying the game at 2-2. The Broncs went ahead by one, 3-2, as Riley Mihalik sent an RBI single to center, scoring Volaski.
 
The Seahawks added two more runs in the top of the second, in taking a 4-3 lead. With two outs, Mazzio tripled to left center field, scoring Silvestrone, who walked on seven-pitches. Mazzio around to score on a throwing error from the Broncs' Lipinski.   
 
The Broncs added three runs in the bottom of the third in retaking the lead at 6-4. Kaiser was hit by a pitch and proceeded to steal second and third. After Wagner brought in in Bowley from the bullpen, the Broncs got the first of their three runs off a first-pitch RBI single to right. After Jake Bender was hit by a pitch to give the home team runners on first and second, Dalton Mayberry brought in the second run of the frame on a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Volaski.  The final run of the inning came on a failed pickoff attempt by Bowley, which plated Mihalik and gave Rider a 6-4 advantage.
 
For the third time in the first four innings, Wagner scored twice in tying the contest at 6-6 in their half of the fourth. Freshman designated hitter Freddy Sabido (Staten Island, NY/Susan E. Wagner [Saint Louis Univ]) doubled to right center. Sophomore 3B Anthony Pecora (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck) reached base after being hit by a pitch. Both runners moved into scoring position after a passed ball. Silvestrone walked to load the bases.
 
When junior 2B Kyle Brey (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South) flew out to left and Pecora was doubled off at second on the play, Sabido came into score on a balk and Silvestrone followed after stealing third and coming on the throwing error by the Broncs' backstop.
 
The Green & White tacked on two more runs in the top of the fifth to go up 8-6.  Sophomore catcher James Wise (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) reached on a fielding error by Rider's third baseman. Godino ripped a 2-2 pitch into right center, scoring Wise. The next batter, Capra, followed suit with a double down the right field line, plating Godino as the Seahawks went ahead by two.
 
Following a scoreless sixth inning, the visitors began to put the game out-of-reach. In the seventh, Capra singled back up-the-middle, scoring Godino, who reached on an infield single to short, stole second for his tenth stolen base of the year and advanced to third on the third error by the Rider catcher. 
 
The Seahawks closed out the afternoon with a big, five-run eighth in taking a 14-6 lead. Brey drew a bases loaded walk that scored Sabido. After a 6-2-3 double play, Silvestrone crossed the plate on a passed ball. Following a free pass to Wise, Godino singled through the left side, scoring Brey. Capra added an RBI single to through the right side bringing in Wise. Cala drove in the final run of the contest for Wagner on a RBI base-hit up-the-middle. Rider scored the 21^st run of the contest on a solo home run from Mihalik.
 
Wagner will return home this Friday, April 14, as they welcome Atlantic 10 members, St. Bonaventure, to Staten Island. Friday's contest with the Bonnies is an afternoon, nine-inning doubleheader, beginning at 12:00 p.m. from the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George.

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