Pictured Above: Senior RF Kyle Cala (Credit: Greg Fencik)
 
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Queens, NY – The Wagner baseball team staged a late inning comeback attempt in the top of the ninth at St. John's but the Red Storm were able to hang on for a 3-1 win.
 
For Wagner (12-10), this afternoon's loss marks the first time since March 6-7 that the Green & White have dropped back-to-back contests when the Seahawks lost to ACC member Virginia Tech and Stetson of the Atlantic Sun conference in DeLand, FL. St. John's improves to 12-7 on the season.
 
Senior 2B Nick Mascelli had two of Wagner's seven hits in the contest, extending his hit streak to a season-high seven games. Additionally, the Clifton, NJ native also reached base safely for the 39th consecutive game and 22nd time this season, a streak that dates back to the 2016 season.

Senior RF Kyle Cala drove in Wagner's only run of the contest in the ninth.
 
Freshman RHP Pat Gallagher (1-3) took the loss after giving up four hits and two runs (one earned) over four innings of work. The Worcester, MA native issued two walks and recorded a strikeout in his fourth start of the season. Fellow neophyte Mike Pirrotta came on in relief of Gallagher, throwing 1.2 scoreless innings despite walking three batters. First-year reliever Nick LePre, who came on for senior LHP Brad Currao, worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth, retiring all three batters on fly outs.
 
Anthony Brocato and Luke Stampfl paced St. John's as both produced an RBI in the contest while John Valente had two of the team's six hits. Jeff Belge earned his first win of the season (1-3), not allowing a run over six innings of work while walking one and striking out five. Joe LaSorsa recorded his fourth save of the year.
 
Senior LF Anthony Godino drew a four-pitch walk and moved to third on sophomore DH Freddy Sabido's single to left field to start the ninth. Cala stepped into the batter's box and was able to plate home Godino after sending a grounder to short, trimming the deficit to 3-1. 
 
Wagner head coach Jim Carone went to his bench in the form of freshman Ben Montenegro, who ripped a 1-0 single to right center field, giving the visitors runners on the corner as Sabido trotted into third. Following the base hit, St. John's made a call to its bullpen, bringing in LaSorsa, to replace Gavin Hollowell. On the third pitch of the sequence, LaSorsa got junior Will Johnson to hit into a game-ending 1-6-3 double play.
 
The Seahawks had a chance to score the game's first run early in the contest. With two outs, junior catcher Phil Capra laced a single to left while Godino followed up with a base hit, giving the visitors runners in scoring position. Belge was able to avoid any damage as he got Sabido to ground out ending the inning.
 
In the home half of the first, St. John's faced a similar two-out predicament. Gallagher was able to retire the first batters on just three pitches as Valente and Brandon Miller flied out to right and center, respectively. The No. 3 hitter, Josh Shaw, ripped a double but Gallagher was able to strand him at second with a strikeout of Brocato, ending the frame.
 
The Green & White again threatened in the top of the third. Mascelli delivered a first-pitch single through the left side and senior SS Sean Mazzio drew a five-pitch walk. Both runners advanced on the well-timed double steal attempt but were left on base as Belge struck out Godino to end the stanza.
 
St. John's broke the stalemate in the bottom of the fourth with a pair of runs in taking a 2-0 lead. With two outs, Robert Boselli III was hit by a pitch and then stole second. A walk to Chris Stefl setup the first run of the contest as Stampfl singled to left field, scoring Boselli III to make it 1-0.
 
With Ryan Hogan at the plate, Stampfl advanced to second and Stefl to third on a throwing error by Gallagher, which allowed Stefl to touch home plate in giving St. John's a 2-0 advantage. Gallagher was out of trouble as Matt Woods grounded out to short.
 
Wagner had another chance in the top of the seventh, as sophomore 1B Tyler Sanfillippo singled through the left side and moved to second on a wild pitch from St. John's reliever, Sam Lara. The Red Storm went to its pen in bringing on southpaw Turner French to face Wagner's pinch-hitter, Johnson. French got the best of Johnson, setting him down on a called third strike.
 
The Johnnies added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh in bringing their lead up to 3-0. Valente started the inning with a double down the left field line and stole third. A walk to Jamie Galazin gave the home team runners on the corners with no outs. Senior left-hander Brad Currao was called upon and was able retire Shaw before Brocato reached on a bunt single to first, scoring Valente.
 
Wagner resumes Northeast Conference (NEC) action, on Thursday, March 29 through Saturday March 31 as the Seahawks travel to Connecticut to take on Sacred Heart in a three-game set. All three qgames will be played in New Britain, CT on the campus of Central Connecticut.

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