STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The Sacred Heart baseball team could not overcome a seven run Stony Brook first inning as it lost 8-4 in a rain shortened game on Wednesday afternoon. Umpires called the action following SHU's final out in the top of the seventh, in which the Pioneers had failed to convert on a bases loaded opportunity. 

Freshman Dan Schock led Sacred Heart hitters with a 2-2 day at the plate, including a RBI single, while Zack Short blasted a solo homerun in the fifth. Pitching in relief, Matt Cooney and Dan Wertz combined for to throw five innings of one run baseball. The loss is the fourth straight for the Pioneers as they are now 1-14 to begin 2015. SBU was led by two hits each from Peragine and Caputo. The two also combined for four RBI's and three runs. The Seawolf bullpen also delivered on the day with four pitchers combining to allow just one run over 5.1 innings.  Stony Brook improves to 8-10.

Ten Seawolves reached base in the seven run first, including the first four batters, as SBU walked five times in addition to collecting five hits. Parenty opened the scoring with a single to right to score Peragine, who had began the frame with a single of his own. After a walk and pop up, Caputo stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and delivered a two RBI single to give Stony Brook a three run lead. The Seawolves then plated four two out runs following a strikeout. Baker and Handley each produced two-RBI singles to stretch the lead to seven.

The Pioneer bats answered right away, pulling within four with three two out runs. Sullivan started it all with his leadoff single. Despite a stirkout from the next hitter, Keith Klebart walked and Jake Friar singled to load the bases. SBU reliever Dieva relieved the starter and looked to get out of the trouble by inducing the next hitter to ground out, but Schock plated the first SHU runner of the game with his RBI knock into left field. The next two batters, Jesus Medina and Alex Perry, also recorded RBI's with a hit by pitch and walk respectively. With Short at the plate and a chance to cut further into the deficit, the rally was brought to an abrupt end when Schock was thrown out at home trying to score on a ball in the dirt.

Cooney held Stony Brook at bay the next three innings, allowing just two hits. He twice was able to work around a Seawolf reaching scoring position, in the third and fourth. Sacred Heart would only get one runner on during that time though before Short's home run brought Sacred Heart within three. That run was cancelled out by SBU in the fifth as Cooney lost command after retiring the first two hitters and issued four consecutive base on balls. Wertz came in to relieve him and put an end to the bases loaded threat by inducing a ground out. 

The sixth saw just one runner reach, sending the game to the top half of the seventh with the rain intensifying. SHU produced one last rally to try and erase the deficit. With two outs and one runner on, Victor Sorrento and Klebart worked successive walks. This forced Rodlif to be called upon form the Seawolf bullpen, and he delivered by forcing what turned out to be the game-ending groundout.

SHU starter Connor Landers only lasted the one inning, allowing the seven earned runs. Cooney went 3.2 innings giving up the one run, while Wertz pitched 1.2 scoreless. Dieva earned the win with his 2.2 scoreless innings, while Rodliff picked up  the save by getting the final out.   

Sacred Heart begins a four game set at Rhode Island this Saturday. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 12 pm on both days.