Norfolk, VA. — Wagner has its first Northeast Conference win after just two games against the Norfolk State Spartans, taking game two 12-8.
It took extras for the Seahawks to score 12 runs in game one, but just the typical nine to match that output in game two. The offense got going late in the game to score nine runs in the final two innings, holding off any potential for a late push from Norfolk State.
Sophomore lefty Keith Davis gets the win, throwing 2.0 scoreless innings and striking out two batters to hold Norfolk State off the board. Davis is now 2-1 on the season.
The Spartans took an early lead, going up 3-0 at the end of the third, then Wagner answered three runs through the middle third of the game, scoring in the fourth and fifth.
Starting pitcher senior Jake Toporek allowed four runs on four hits and kept the game manageable for his offense, which has proved their ability to answer when trailing. Toporek was relieved by senior Sam Bonilla, who gave up two runs before Davis entered the game.
Davis went 2.0 innings and was the first Wagner pitcher to hold the Spartans, then senior Zach Gorman went 0.2 innings, allowing no hits and no runs to continue to keep the Spartans off the board. Junior Jason Masick closed the game for the final 1.1 innings, allowing two runs on two hits but holding off Norfolk State to get the final out.
At the plate, the Seahawks carried momentum from Friday's season-high runs scored and matched that on Saturday. Senior lead-off man Lukas Torres did not record a hit only because he worked three walks and was intentionally walked in the ninth when Wagner put up those five runs.
Hitting second, junior Nicholas Mazzotta had one hit, one run and two RBIs on the day. Sophomore Diego Tavarez hit behind Mazzotta and went 2-of-3 at the plate, with a run and an RBI on top of two walks.
Sophomore Joseph Mennella was productive once again, with a hit, walk, run scored and an RBI to add to his stat line. Seniors Mateo Matthews and Bryce Phelps added two hits apiece.
Freshman Matt Sutera was clutch when he entered the game at second base, going 2-of-2, adding two runs and an RBI. Adding another hit for the productive infielders, sophomore Connor Roche had a hit of his own and added an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth.
Catcher Xavier Ulrich had his best day of hitting this season, going 3-of-5 for twu runs and an RBI. Eight of Wagner's 10 batters logged a hit.
Game three of the series will be played Sunday, March 9 at noon EST.
