Box Score BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – PJ DeFilippo reached base three times and Jackson Aldam threw a career-long 3.1innings of one-run ball, but a four-run sixth inning broke open the game as the Sacred Heart baseball team began its final series of the regular season with an 8-3 setback against LIU Brooklyn on Friday afternoon at Harbor Yard. Having already clinched the second seed in next weekend's Northeast Conference Baseball Tournament, the Pioneers fall to 17-11 in the league and are two wins shy of their third 30-win season in six years at 28-24 overall.
SHU cut a 3-1 deficit in half in the fifth when Ted Shaw led off with a triple and Jesus Medina drove him in with a sacrifice fly, but LIU (17-34, 11-16 NEC) immediately had the answer. Andrew Turner began it all with an infield single on an 0-2 pitch and would move up to third on a ground out and wild pitch. This forced the infield in, allowing Luis Rios' ground ball to sneak through the right side for an RBI single.
After Joe Mercandante followed with a third single of the inning, Charles Misiano had the big base knock, doubling down the right field line to bring in two more. LIU was not done there, as Brian Lamboy put the finishing touches on the frame with a fifth hit, another double to make the score 7-2. A hit batter ended Baylor Sundahl's day and Aldam did well to come on and put an end to the damage, inducing a double play ball.
Dan Schock tried to spark a comeback with his team-leading seventh home run of the season in the bottom half, but SHU could not manage anything else. Arias added a sacrifice fly in the eighth to complete the scoring for LIU Brooklyn.
LIU had perfect days at the plate from its eight and nine hole hitters, as Mercadante and Misiano each finished 3-3. Mercadante also scored three times and added a walk, while Misiano had two RBI's, two runs and was hit by a pitch. Arias also drove in two runs and Rios scored twice.
DeFilippo was the lone Pioneer with multiple hits as he went 2-3 with a walk and RBI single in the second to tie the game. Schock added a walk in addition to his sixth inning blast.
After each team had a runner reaching scoring position in the first, both got on the scoreboard in the second. Although Turner doubled off the third baseman's glove and Dom Paiotti walked, first baseman Victor Sorrento made a great charging play to cut down Turner at third on a bunt. Sacred Heart got the second out when catcher Cody Doyle threw out Paiotti at third attempting to steal. Mercadante extended the frame with a walk though, and Misiano took advantage by roping a single off the second baseman's glove to open the scoring.
Zack Short got the bottom half going by walking, stealing second, and advancing to third on a throwing error. Schock followed with his walk and up came DeFilippo to tie the game with his single to right field. In prime position to take the lead, instead a missed sacrifice bunt attempt led to a strikeout and a potential Alex Perry single to center field was erased when the centerfielder threw out the runner at third. LIU Brooklyn starter Baylor LaPointe then kept the score tied with a strikeout.
After a second consecutive 1-2-3 inning for LIU in the fourth, again SHU had an opportunity to take the lead in the bottom half. DeFilippo beat out an infield single with one out and would move up to second on a throwing error on the play. Following a strikeout, Perry laid down a bunt single to give the Pioneers runners on first and third before he was picked off during the next at bat.
LIU capitalized by going on top for good in the fifth. Mercandante beat out an infield single and Misiano followed with one to right field, setting up a sacrifice opportunity for Lamboy, who executed. Arias delivered the go-ahead base knock, a bloop single to left, before Jakubowski tacked onto the advantage with a sacrifice fly.
The loss was just the second of the year for Sacred Heart starter James Taubl, who surrendered more than one earned run for just the second time this season in 15 appearances. He allowed six hits in the first five innings while also walking three. After coming on to replace Sundahl, Aldam gave up just the one earned run on two hits in his career-long 3.2 frames.
LaPointe provided a quality start for LIU Brooklyn, going the first seven frames and giving up just two earned runs on six hits while striking out five. Mike Kriger then allowed just one hit in the eighth and ninth.
The two teams continue their four-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader that has been moved up to 12 p.m.
