April 14, 2006

Box Score

STATEN ISLAND, NY - Jason Maiella (N. Haledon, NJ) pounded a three-run homer, while junior hurler Jay Monti (Marloboro, NY) tossed a complete game to lead Sacred Heart University to a 9-3 win in the opener of a Northeast Conference baseball doubleheader with Wagner College on Friday afternoon. Wagner came back to win the second game, 4-2, capped by an RBI double by Joe DiGeronimo in a three-run sixth inning to salvage the split.

In the opener, Sacred Heart scored three in the first inning helped by a Wagner error and a two-run double by Bobby McKee (Massapequa, NY). The Pioneers took a 6-0 lead in the third on a bases-loaded triple from sophomore Jeff Hanson (Woodstock, NY).

Wagner got to Monti for three runs in the bottom of the third with Mike Maffucci scoring the big blow with a two-run single with two outs. Maiella put the game on ice for SHU with a three-run bomb to right in the top of the seventh off Seahawk reliever Tom Weston.

The Seahawks, 6-23 overall but 5-3 in the NEC, manufactured a run in the first inning of the nightcap. A leadoff walk and a single put runners on first and second. A sacrifice bunt pushed them over and a sacrifice fly by Ed Sudol made it 1-0.

The Pioneers, 14-19 overall and 7-4 in the conference, evened it at 1-1 on an RBI single by Pete Kandybowicz (Massapequa, NY) in the top of the third. SHU took a 2-1 lead in the fourth when Rob Tencza (Meriden, CT) singled home Josh Enos with a run.

Wagner got to SHU starter Chris Aldrich for three runs in the bottom of the fifth on four hits, including a pair of doubles.

The two teams will complete the three-game series on Saturday at noon.