Pictured Above: Junior right-hander, Nick Zuppe (Credit: Robert M. Pimpsner, PinstrippeProspects.com)
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Johnson City, TN – Despite an early lead, the Wagner College baseball team surrendered two runs in the bottom of fifth and dropped the second game of Sunday's doubleheader at East Tennessee State by a 4-3 count at Thomas Stadium.
Wagner led 3-1 after two innings before the Buccaneers cut the lead to one, 3-2, in the bottom of the third and following a scoreless fourth, ETSU pushed the tying and go-ahead runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Senior SS
Anthony Pecora kicked off the series finale with a double to center field. After back-to-back, hard-hit liners retired the next two batters, junior 1B
Tyler Sanfillippo sent a single to center field, scoring Pecora in giving Wagner the early 1-0 lead.
The visitors were poised for more runs in the frame, as senior 3B
Will Johnson followed with a single back-up-the-middle, which moved Sanfillippo to second. Newcomer
Shamus Connolly reached on a fielder's choice, which loaded the bases but junior RF
Eric Lauk struck out ending the threat.
ETSU responded in their half of the first. Seahawk starter
Nick Zuppe struck out Jake Lyle before giving up a double to Cullen Smith down the right field line. Jackson Greer drew a walk before Ethan Cady reached on a fielding error by Pecora, which loaded the bases for the Bucs.
Cade Gilbert grounded to Pecora, who was able to turn and force out Greer at third, but allowed Smith to cross the plate and tie the game at 1-1. Zuppe rebounded and was able to retire Noah Hill on five-pitches via his second strikeout of the game.
The Green & White regained the lead in the top of the second as they once again capitalized with two outs. Pecora was plunked by a pitch and brought up Silvestrone. With the count leveled at 1-1, Silvestrone uncorked a shot over the left field wall for his second round-tripper in as many days and giving the visitors a 3-1 lead. Zuppe kept ETSU at bay, striking out Kyle Richardson and Ethan Shelton swinging before getting Markell Graham to foul out to Sanfillippo at first.
East Tennessee State drew closer in the bottom of the third, trimming Wagner's lead to 3-2. Lyle started the rally with a single up the middle and moved to second on a base knock from Greer. Behind in the count, 1-2, Cady singled down the left field line that scored Lyle and moved Greer to second.
Following a scoreless fourth, the Seahawks started the fifth with Pecora's second hit of the afternoon, a single to left. He stole second when junior
Freddy Sabido struck out. ETSU was able to get out of the fifth, as they were able to catch Pecora trying to steal third.
In the bottom of the fifth, junior reliever,
Ryan Lauk (0-1) was able to retire the first two batters he face but lost Richardson on seven-pitches. The next batter, Shelton, was in down in the count, 1-2, before connecting on the go-ahead, two-run home run, giving ETSU a 4-3 lead. Lauk ended the frame by striking out Graham.
Wagner had a rally in them, as in the top of the sixth, Sanfillippo reached after being hit with a pitch and moved to scoring position when Johnson ripped a single through the right side. Connolly executed a well-time sac-bunt to move the runners but the chance was halted on a pair of strikeouts.
In the Seahawks final inning, ETSU's James Giambalvo stuck out all three batters he faced in preserving the win.
Pecora and Johnson each had two hits in the night cap while Silvestrone delivered the big blast for the Seahawks. Zuppe went 3.2 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out six in taking the no decision. Lauk was saddled with the loss, lasting 1.2 frames in which he gave up the one hit.
Wagner returns to the East Coast as the Seahawks are scheduled to travel to Big Ten members, Rutgers, on Tuesday, February 26. First-pitch is slated for 2:00 p.m.
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