Quite the opposite of Saturday’s result, LIU Post suffered a two-game sweep at the hands of Assumption. They now stand at 9-7 on the season. Up next for the Pioneers is East Strousburg, who they play on Wednesday at 3 PM.
Game One:
From the beginning of this game, it seemed as if Post was in control once again. They jumped out to an early 2-0 start, thanks to RBI from Mike Manzione and Anthony Vaglica.
On the mound, Mike Stiles got the start for the Pioneers and was fantastic. Through the first three innings, he struck out six batters. He finished going seven innings, allowing five hits, no earned runs and struck out eight batters.
At the start of the 6th inning, Assumption got things started with a lead off single by Alex Richardson, who would advance to second on a throwing error. One batter later, Richardson was driven in, making this a 2-1 ballgame.
With Assumption threatening, Post needed more insurance runs for Stiles, but couldn’t execute. They would strand the bases loaded in the bottom half of the 7th, leaving the door wide open for an Assumption comeback.
Leading by one run heading into the 8th, disaster struck for the Pioneers.
After a lead off walk for Assumption, they took advantage of the poor Post defense. A total of three errors occurred in the half inning and suddenly Assumption held a 4-2 lead. However, the game wasn’t over just yet.
Anthony Vaglica got things started for the potential comeback, ripping a single up the middle. With two outs, David Franchi drove in Vaglica to cut the deficit to one. With a chance to tie the game, Chris Wasson stepped up to the plate and delivered. He drove in the tying run, but was thrown out attempting to stretch a single into a double to end the inning.
With things all knotted up at four heading into the 9th, it was anybody’s ballgame.
When the moment mattered most, Post’s defense and bullpen ultimately couldn’t get it done. Not only did they walk the bases loaded in the top half of the 9th, but they hit Matt Schneider with a pitch to force in the go ahead run.
This set up a save opportunity for Manny Pegueromelo and he delivered, propelling Assumption to an extremely close 5-4 victory.
Game Two:
Hoping to turn things around and secure a series win, Post was looking to bounce back in game two. Similar to game one, things started off slow for both sides offensively, but it was Assumption who struck first this time, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead in the 3rd inning.
After both sides scratched across a run in the 4th inning, Assumption held a 4-1 lead heading into the bottom of the 5th inning. However, this lead wouldn’t last very long.
Struggling with runners on all day, Post decided to change their fortune in this half inning. Following a bases loaded walk by Anthony Vaglica forcing in Sal Geraci, Post had the bases loaded with two outs. Enter Andy Camillo. He ripped a double down the left field line, clearing the bases. All of a sudden it was a 5-4 lead in favor of the Pioneers.
Post tacked on to their lead in the bottom half of the 6th. Mike Greene tripled to lead things off, later scoring on a wild pitch.
Holding a two-run lead heading into the 7th, Post’s bullpen couldn’t get it done again. A string of walks and hits by Assumption led to two runs being driven in. Once again, this was a tie ballgame.
With Anthony Vaglica in scoring position and a chance to walk it off, the Pioneers came up just short. After seven, the score remained knotted up, heading into extras.
Assumption saved their offensive explosion for when it really mattered. Capitalizing on a poor bullpen performance, the Assumption bats surged in the top of the 9th. They scored five runs when it was all said and done, putting themselves in a fantastic position to win the ballgame. Sure enough, five runs was plenty of insurance.
Assumption triumphed to an 11-7 victory, as they swept LIU Post and split their four game series.
