LIU Baseball Earns Two Wins on Final Day in North Carolina

Recap, photo courtesy of LIU

Pioneers tally 25 hits, blast five homers in impressive offensive display

CARY, N.C. – The LIU Post baseball team concluded its trip to the state of North Carolina on a high note Sunday, first defeating Clarion University 8-5 then earning a 7-2 win over Jefferson University at the USA Baseball Complex.

The Pioneers totaled 25 hits, five home runs, 10 doubles and 13 RBIs in what was an impressive offensive display from LIU Post.

They were led by freshman Giovanni Ciaccio who ended the day with five hits, three runs, three doubles, two RBIs and a stolen base. Sophomore Christopher Wasson added four hits, two doubles, two RBIs and two runs while senior Dave Brehm contributed three hits, two runs that included a home run, and one RBI. Junior Zach Fritz also had three hits, a home run, two doubles and an RBI. Seniors Sal Geraci, Michael Manzione and Michael Greene also hit home runs.

Freshman Joshua Loeschorn earned the win against Clarion, pitching five innings, striking out four and scattering four hits. Senior Mike Stiles had the save, striking out six. Against the Rams senior Brian Kavanaugh fanned five batters in 4.2 innings and only allowed one hit to earn the win.
  Game One – LIU Post 8, Clarion 5
Ciaccio continued his strong play at the plate as he led off in the bottom of the first and doubled to left center; he then scored after Wasson singled through the left side.  Clarion responded with two run of the own in the bottom of the second and took a 2-1 lead.

The Golden Eagles' lead did not last long, as Fritz homered down the left field line in the bottom of the second to tie the game. The game continued as a back-and-forth battle as Clarion added another run in the top of the third and Brehm homered to left field in the bottom of the third to tie the game 3-3.

LIU Post added another two runs to take a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Fritz doubled to left field then advanced to third after freshman David Franchi grounded out to second base. Mendyk followed by doubling down the left field line, scoring Fritz. Fritz was next to score as Cicaccio had has his second double of the morning, this time to left field.

Manzione launched a homer to left center in the bottom of the fifth to give the Pioneers a 6-3 lead and Fritz continued his successful morning at the plate in the top of the eighth as he doubled down the left field line. Greene pinch ran for Fritz and advanced to third after Mendyk grounded out to the pitcher then scored after Ciaccio doubled down the left field line. Wasson then scored Ciaccio after a double down the left field line of his own. Stiles struck out two batters in the top of the ninth and the Pioneers held on for an 8-5 win.
  Game Two – LIU Post 7, Jefferson 2
The Pioneers got off to another strong start against Jefferson as Greene homered to left center in the top of the second to give LIU Post an early 1-0 lead. Piscitelli then singled through the left side and advanced to second on a passed ball; Geraci followed with a homer to left field and the Pioneers jumped ahead 3-0.

The Rams scored in the bottom of the second and bottom of the third to make it a 3-2 game but the Pioneer bats stayed hot in the bottom of the fifth. Ciaccio singled up the middle then advanced to second on a wild pitch to Wasson. Brehm then singled to right center and Fritz then flied out left center; Ciaccio scored. Wasson was next to score after a wild pitch that also advanced Brehm to third, who then scored to give LIU Post a 7-2 lead after another wild pitch to Greene.

In the bottom of the ninth redshirt junior Johnny Dehler doubled to left center, scoring Wasson for the final run of the game as LIU Post took the win, 7-2.
  Up Next
The Pioneers host Assumption College (8-4) in a doubleheader on Saturday, Mar. 16 at 12:00 p.m. in their home-opener at the LIU Post Baseball Field.​