PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. (Mar. 18, 2025) – Despite a game-high-tying two hits from senior Connor Ruland (Islip, N.Y./Islip), the Mercy University baseball team dropped a 2-1 decision at Pace University on Tuesday afternoon at Peter X. Finnerty Field.

The Mavericks (13-10) see their two-game winning streak come to an end and fall to the Setters (7-8) for the third time this season.

Mercy was led by Ruland who went 2-for-2 with a run scored and by junior David Bernard Jr. (Schenectady, N.Y./Herkimer CC) who went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Sophomore Nevin Scaperotti (Stormville, N.Y./Carmel), junior John Nisco (Tarrytown, N.Y./Sleepy Hollow) and freshman Matthew Hesselbirg (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y./Newfield) went 1-for-4 and junior Kolongi Goins (Poughkeepsie, N.Y/FDR) went 1-for-1. Junior Zach Ashline (Colonie, N.Y./Colonie Central) went 1-for-2 and freshman Owen Brink (Hyde Park, N.Y./FDR) pitched the first 3.0 innings with two runs allowed to take the loss. Freshmen Chase de Castro (Rutland, Vt./Rutland), Ryan DiNapoli (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown), Gordon Votruba (Wading River, N.Y./Shoreham-Wading River), Ethan McGarry (Cohoes, N.Y./Shaker) and Sammy Mendez (White Plains, N.Y./White Plains) each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

Pace was led by Andrew Heppner who went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. Justin Dressler allowed one run in 5.0 innings to earn the win. Anthony Apollaro pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save.

After a scoreless first inning, Pace took a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Heppner hit a two-run home run to left field.

Mercy got a run back in the third inning to make it 2-1. Ruland singled and Scaperotti later singled to put runners on first and third. Bernard Jr. recorded an RBI groundout to shortstop, scoring Ruland to make it 2-1. A strikeout ended the inning with the tying run at second.

Mercy threatened again in the fifth when Hesselbirg led off the inning with a double, but was left stranded at third, keeping the score 2-1.

Bernard Jr. led off the sixth inning with a single and later moved to second on a Goins sacrifice bunt. After a flyout, Nisco singled to right field, but Bernard Jr. was thrown out at home trying to tie the game, ending the inning.

Mercy was unable to score in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings, giving the Setters the 2-1 win.

Mercy had eight hits and no errors and Pace had seven hits and one error.

Head Coach Chris Schoen and the Mavericks resume action on Friday, March 21st when they host St. Thomas Aquinas at 3 p.m.