Trenton, NJ — In a game where Wagner's contributions came on all sides, the Seahawks took down CCSU 8-6 in what was the Blue Devils' first series loss in Northeast Conference play.
Behind a massive 3.0-inning closeout from junior Jason Masick, the Seahawks put up consistent offense to secure the close win. The Blue Devils put potential game-tying runners on base but Masick slammed the door with a strikeout to end the game.
CCSU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, but Wagner answered in the second to get the offense going and take control of the game. The Blue Devils finished with 11 hits to Wagner's nine, but were held to just one run each time they scored after the first.
Sophomore Joseph Mennella led off the second with a double, moving to third and soon joined on the base paths by graduate Xavier Ulrich and senior Mateo Matthews, who both worked walks. Freshman Matt Sutera added a double of his own, scoring two runs to make it a 3-2 deficit. A passed ball from the CCSU catcher allowed Matthews to score and tie the game, then Lukas Torres stepped up representing the top of the order and singled to score Sutera and give Wagner the 4-3 lead.
The Blue Devils added a run in the third to tie things up, but Wagner had an answer again. A pair of singles from sophomore Diego Tavarez and Mennella put two runners on, then consecutive sacrifice plays from Ulrich and senior Bryce Phelps pushed the runners over, allowing Tavarez to score and put Wagner back ahead.
In the fifth, Tavarez led off with another single, stole second and then scored on a Mennella single to take a 6-4 lead.
The final two thirds of the game allowed the bullpen to step up, starting with a 2.1-inning relief appearance from senior Sam Bonilla, who gave up just one run on one hit before passing the baton to Michael Cunningham.
Cunningham threw one scoreless, allowing just two hits before junior Jason Masick entered to close things out. He entered in the seventh and the Seahawks kept their foot on the gas.
In the bottom of the frame, walks to Tavarez and Mennella put runners on for Phelps, who doubled and scored Tavarez from second. CCSU loaded the bases with an intentional walk to Ulirch and Menella, sitting at third, was able to score on a wild pitch in the next at bat to give Wagner an 8-5 lead.
Masick's 3.0 innings pitched tied his longest outing of the season, another 3.0 innings April 5 at Le Moyne. He allowed just one run on four hits, striking out three of the 14 batters he faced. That one run came on a deep solo home run to center field in the ninth.
Mennella led the way with a 3-of-3 day with two runs scored, an RBI and a walk. Tavarez was 2-of-4 with three runs scored and a walk. Sutera was the other Seahawk with multiple hits, 2-of-3 with two RBIs, a run scored and a walk.
Mattews and Ulrich each walked twice. Torres and Phelps added a hit apiece. Wagner batters only struck out three times through 30 at bats. The Seahawks' pitching staff struck out four CCSU batters and stranded 12 runners.
Next up, Wagner hits the road for its next NEC series, a weekend at FDU. Game one is scheduled for Friday, May 9 at 3 p.m. EST.
