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| Photo Credit: Vinny Messana |
Today was a rare Division-I vs Division-II matchup. Hofstra fended off LIU Post, 12-9, despite getting outhit by six.
The Pioneers started their ace, Jake DeCarli, who continued to do what he has all season–he threw three no-hit innings while needing only 27 pitches. Had it been a conference game he obviously would’ve pitched deep into the game but he was lifted in order to preserve him for the meaningful conference games.
Reliever James Long came on and struggled, he yielded four ER in one inning of work. Dalton Rouleau hit an RBI single to score Brad Witkowski. Later in the inning, Brian MacDonald smacked his third home run of the season to score Rouleau and Jake Fallon.
In the fifth inning, Hofstra broke it pen further when Fallon hit an RBI single and later came around to score on an error by the third baseman when he stole third.
In the next half inning, the Pioneers got on the board with a solo home run by Kenny Daley off starter Chris Bonk to make it 7-1.
Bonk had a terrific start–he threw seven innings, allowed one ER on six hits, zero walks while striking out nine.
Hofstra scored four more runs in their half of the seventh inning. An RBI double, wild pitch, RBI single and fielder’s choice allowed for the Pride to open up an 11-1 lead.
The Pride’s bullpen, however, allowed the Pioneers to chip away and make it a close game.
Rich Maccarone hit an RBI double in the eighth to creep the Pioneers within nine. Vinny Iacono hit a sac fly, David Groeneveld reached on an RBI error and Lou Doria drove in the third run of the inning on a fielder’s choice.
Matt Anunziata smacked his third home run of the season to bring the score to 12-5.
In the top of the ninth, the Pioneers mounted a little rally off three Pride relievers. Daley hit a two-run triple to drive in Maccarone and Rick Alessi, Iacono hit a sac fly and Anthony Brunetti hit a home run to bring the score to 12-9.
Chris Weiss put out the fire for Hofstra’s 16th win of the season against 26 losses. They will be back in action Friday while LIU will now prepare for the ECC playoffs.
