Anthony Corona
On Sunday, March 27, the C.W. Post Pioneers swept the Dowling College Golden Lions in a double header at C.W. Post. The Pioneers were coming off of back to back losses to the Golden Lions in the previous two games, losing a heartbreaker 2-1on Friday, March 25th, and losing 6-0 on Saturday, March 26th, at Dowling.
The Pioneers had their work cut out for them after starting conference play 0-2. Going into game one of the doubleheader, the Pioneers gave the ball to junior Paul Bischoff. He was shaky in the first inning, allowing three hits, but he managed to find his composure and get out of the inning without any runs. Bischoff only allowed one run the rest of the way through, keeping the Golden Lions offense quiet.
It was in the sixth inning that both teams earned their first runs of the game, with the Golden Lions scoring on the top of the frame. The Pioneers responded in the bottom of the frame when freshman Tom Tolan led off with a bunt single and advanced to second on an errant throw by the Dowling third basemen. Tolan then walked his way to third on a wild pitch. Three batters later, sophomore catcher Anthony Corona drove Tolan home with a base hit to left.
The game remained tied into the tenth inning when Tolan once again started the Pioneer offense with a base hit to left. He then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior Matt Simone, moving the winning run into scoring position. Junior Nick Compito pinch hit for the Pioneers, lacing a base hit to left and moving Tolan to third. The Golden Lions walked Corona to load the bases to face senior first basemen Dan Mende. Mende was hit by the first pitch he saw, walking the Tolan home and winning the game for the Pioneers. Senior Marshall Kapson took the win in relief of Bischoff, pitching one inning and escaping a bases loaded jam to keep the Golden Lions off the scoreboard.
Game two proved to be just as interesting as the Pioneers gave the ball to sophomore Kevin Chenicek. The Pioneers took the lead in the first inning after Corona singled to left, advancing to second on an error. Freshman first basemen Phil Loprete then singled to left center to score Corona and give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead. Chenicek had a solid start to the game, retiring the first eight batters he faced. The sophomore pitcher did not face any danger until the fourth, when he let up a leadoff single and a walk. The Golden Lions only scored one run to tie the score in the inning on a sacrifice fly. The Pioneers responded in the bottom of the fourth, scoring another run to pull ahead 2-1. Junior James Stone came on in relief of Chenicek after allowing a leadoff single. Stone got the first two batters out, until a costly throwing error by the Pioneers sent the game into extra innings. Once again, the Pioneers got their leadoff man on when freshman P.J. Jennings worked a walk. Freshman Rich Maccarone followed up with a single and Tolan reached on a fielder’s choice. Simone came to the plate and was hit by the first pitch to once again win the game for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers return to action against Bridgeport on Friday, April 1st at home at 3p.m.
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