The LIU Post Pioneers defeated No. 1 seed Dowling with an 8-0 shutout. It’s hard to call it an upset when they handled them three of four during the regular season and had the ECC Pitcher of the Year on the mound.
Jake DeCarli threw a CG five-hit shutout with seven strikeouts to lower his conference-leading ERA to 0.76. He allowed hits in the first, second, fifth and eighth inning but never more than two base runners in any inning. His record improves to 6-1 on the season.
The offense was dormant against Brendan Butler for the first two innings but came alive in the third when Thomas Asbaty hit a two-run single to score Anthony Brunetti and Kenny Daley.
They broke it open with three more in the fourth inning on a wild pitch, an RBI single by Vinny Iacono and double by Brunetti.
In the fifth inning, Robert Rose came in to relieve Butler but allowed an RBI single to Rick Alessi, who came around to score on a double by Rich Maccarone.
DeCarli did not allow much of anything and advanced the Pioneers to the winner’s bracket.
They will face a challenge tomorrow at 1 pm against reigning ECC Champion St. Thomas Acquinas. Dan Jagiello will be on the hill.
