CARY, N.C. – Powered by 14 shutout innings pitched from junior Nevin Scaperotti (Stormville, N.Y./Carmel) and sophomore Ryan DiNapoli (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown) and a walk-off sacrifice fly from sophomore Geneo Savoca (Albany, N.Y./University at Albany), the Mercy University Baseball Team earned a 1-0 win in 14 innings against regionally-ranked Franklin Pierce University before dropping a 7-0 decision to regionally-ranked Goldey-Beacom College in the nightcap on Saturday.
The Mavericks (2-1) suffer their first loss of the season after starting 2-0 for the first time since 2021. The Ravens (0-3) remain winless on the year, and the Lightning (3-1) earn a season split with Mercy. The 14-inning game in game one is Mercy's longest since a 15-inning game at Bridgeport on April 1, 2019.
Game 1: Mercy 1, Franklin Pierce 0 (14 Innings)
Mercy secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Franklin Pierce in a tense 14-inning showdown. Both teams displayed strong defensive efforts, keeping the game scoreless through 13 innings. Scaperotti and DiNapoli combined to pitch 14 scoreless innings with the duo striking out 11 batters and allowing just nine hits.
In the bottom of the 14th inning, Mercy finally broke through. Sophomore Matthew Hesselbirg (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y./Newfield) led off with a single and was replaced by pinch runner freshman Aydan Wayne (Howard Beach, N.Y./Channel View), who quickly stole second base. A walk by graduate student Alfred Hoti (New York, N.Y./Monsignor McClancy) put runners on first and second. Senior Kolongi Goins (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./FDR) then recorded a sacrifice bunt, advancing Hoti and Wayne to second and third. Junior Dylan Koch (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Pace University) then walked to load the bases before Savoca hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Wayne to give Mercy the 1-0 walk-off win.
Mercy was led by Savoca who went 2-for-6 with an RBI in his Mercy debut. Hoti and Hesselbirg both went 1-for-1 and Goins went 1-for-3. Koch and senior Sean McAdams (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Ludlowe) both went 1-for-6. Scaperotti made his first start of the season and pitched 7.0 shutout innings with six hits and eight strikeouts to earn a no-decision. Scaperotti recorded his 100th career strikeout, becoming the 12th Maverick in program history to reach the mark. DiNapoli tossed the final 7.0 innings with just three hits allowed and three strikeouts to earn the win.
Franklin Pierce was led by Ivan Arias who went 2-for-7. Lane LeClair allowed one run in 5.1 innings to take the loss.
Mercy had seven hits and two errors, and Franklin Pierce had nine hits and no errors.
Game 2: Goldey-Beacom 7, Mercy 0
The game remained scoreless until the top of the fourth when the Lightning scored two runs to take a 2-0 lead.
Goldey-Beacom scored a run in the sixth, one in the eighth and three in the ninth inning to take a 7-0 lead. Mercy was unable to score in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Lightning the 7-0 win.
Mercy was led by sophomore Anthony Altobelli (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) who went 1-for-3 and by senior David Bernard Jr. (Schenectady, N.Y./Herkimer CC) who went 1-for-4. Sophomore Gordon Votruba (Wading River, N.Y./Shoreham Wading River) made his first start of the season and allowed three runs in 6.0 innings to take the loss.
Goldey-Beacom was led by Owen Knerr who went 2-for-4 with three RBI. Nate Miller pitched 6.0 shutout innings to earn the win.
Mercy had two hits and no errors and Goldey-Beacom had 10 hits and one error.
Head Coach Chris Schoen and the Mavericks resume action tomorrow when they face Franklin Pierce in Cary at 9 a.m.
