Box Score BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Four runs in the top of the fifth proved to be the difference, as the Sacred Heart baseball team was defeated by Wagner 5-1 on Friday night in game one of a Northeast Conference series at Harbor Yard. The Pioneers have lost eight of nine, including seven of eight in conference, as they are now 15-27-1. Wagner stays atop of the NEC standings at 12-5 with the win, moving up to 24-17-1 overall.
SHU starter James Cooksey took a no-hitter into that fifth inning and had only let one batter reach on a hit by pitch. Tommy Mazurkiewicz's leadoff single would change that though, as he would prove to be the first of ten Wagner hitters to come to the plate in that inning. A hit by pitch set up a sacrifice situation for Zack Yesko, and he moved the runners up to second and third successfully. This allowed Sean Mazzio's single to tie the game, before another single by Dan Wasilick put the Seahawks ahead 2-1. The lead was quickly three when Trey Nicosia brought in Mazzio with a sacrifice fly. Nick Mascelli then put an exclamation point on the frame, doubling to left center field for the 4-1 advantage. Cooksey would run into more trouble as the next two hitters reached via a single and hit by pitch, but he was able to limit any further harm by getting Mazurkiewicz to foul out. The Seahawks added one more in the seventh on a Nick Dini double.
That was all that was needed for Seahawk starter Nolan Long, who after allowing a first inning run, threw the next six frames scoreless to win his fourth game of the season. He gave up just three hits over those seven innings, striking out seven against just one walk. Anthnoy Bataglia pitched the final two scoreless, striking out three and allowing just one hit.
Cooksey's loss was just his second of the year, as he threw seven innings, scattering eight hits and three hit by pitches that led to the five runs.
Dan Wertz and
Alex Perry each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
Victor Sorrento drove in Sacred Heart's lone run on a two out double to the left field fence. Jayson Sullivan came home on the play, as he had singled to lead off the inning and then stolen second. Jesus Medina had the two other Pioneer hits and also added a stolen base.
SHU advanced just two runners into scoring position in the final eight innings. The first came in the third when Medina singled with one out and stole second with two. Sorrento looked to have added to the Sacred Heart lead on a single up the middle, but Wasilick made a diving grab before getting up to fire Sorrento out at first. The second came in the eighth when Dan Schock reached on an error and Medina singled with two outs. Battaglia was able to work his way out of his only threat with a strike out.
Mazzio was the lone Seahawk with two hits, but eight of nine starters recorded at least one. No Wagner player had more than one run or one RBI.
The two teams meet again tomorrow for a doubleheader at Harbor Yard. First pitch is set for 1 pm.
