Baseball

May 4, 2007

WATERBURY, Conn.-The Post University baseball team took a big step in earning a spot in next week's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Baseball Championships, with wins over Dominican College and Wilmington College, in a split doubleheader on Friday afternoon at Municipal Stadium.

In the first game of the afternoon, the Eagles defeated Dominican 11-10, with a walk off single by senior third baseman Ryan Depolo. In the nightcap against Wilmington the Eagles scored six runs in the first inning, en route to a 12-6.

Post improves to 18-20 overall and 8-8 in the CACC, and will await word on a spot in the CACC Championships, following play on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles have won three straight games and four of their last five contests to end the regular season. On Thursday, the Eagles knocked off league-leading Caldwell 10-5.

Against Dominican, the Chargers led 10-5 after scoring six runs in the top of the fourth inning. However the Eagles were able to claw their way back into it with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, one in the seventh, and two more in the eighth to knot the game at 10-10, going into the bottom of the ninth inning.

With runners on second and third, senior third baseman Depolo ripped a single up the middle to plate sophomore first baseman Jim Conto for the game's winning run. Conto finished the first game, 4-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and two runs batted in. Depolo was 3-for-6 with his 10^th double of the season, two runs scored and one run batted in. Senior shortstop, Mike Padovani was 3-for-5 with three runs scored and three runs batted in.

Sophomore Brendan Wyman picked up his sixth win of the season in relief, pitching a shutout in five and two-thirds innings, giving up only two hits and three walks, while striking out six batters. He pitched two innings in relief on Thursday to get his first save of the season against Caldwell. He is now, 6-2 on the season with a 2.98 ERA.

In the nightcap against Wilmington, the Eagles exploded for six runs in the bottom of the first inning, to take a 6-0 lead. Junior right fielder Eric Rovinetti started the hit parade with a single to right to plate Depolo.

Then, Padovani singled down the right field line to bring home, senior catcher Chris Gelalich. Sophomore designated hitter Joe Proscia's RBI base hit brought home Rovinetti, and sophomore second baseman Dan Luisi singled in Padovani. Freshman left fielder Jose Reyes kept the pressure on with a two-run double.

The Eagles added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two-run double from Conto.

Wilmington scored twice in the top of the eighth inning, and the Eagles scored four more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Conto went 3-for-4 with his fourth double of the season and four runs batted in. Luisi went 3-for-4 as well with a run batted in and a run scored. Gelalich was 2-for-3 with three runs scored, and Depolo had a pair of hits and scored two runs.

Junior Nick Mangini picked up his first win of the season giving up two runs, one earned in seven innings of work. He struck out five batters.

Between games, the Eagles took time to recognize five seniors who played in their final home game. Seniors Ryan Depolo, Matt Dimaina, Chris Gelalich, Mike Padovani, and Pat Tracy, were honored for their years of service.