MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Powered by four different Mavericks recording an RBI on the day, the Mercy University Baseball Team earned a 6-5 win over Post University in game one before falling 7-4 in game two on Friday night.
The Mavericks (4-3) started the season 4-2 for the first time since 2009 and earn a win against the Eagles (1-5) for the second straight year.
Game 1: Mercy 6, Post 5
Post took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on three hits.
The score remained 2-0 until the fourth inning when Mercy scored three runs to take a 3-2 lead. Senior John Nisco (Tarrytown, N.Y./Sleepy Hollow) was hit by a pitch and later scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-1. Junior Dylan Koch (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Pace University) later drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring graduate student Alfred Hoti (New York, N.Y./Monsignor McClancy) to tie the game at 2-2. Sophomore Matthew Hesselbirg (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y./Newfield) scored on a wild pitch to give Mercy a 3-2 lead.
The Mavericks added a run in the fifth inning to take a 4-2 lead. Sophomore Geneo Savoca (Albany, N.Y./University at Albany) walked and later scored on a Hesselbirg sacrifice fly.
The Eagles tied the game at 4-4 in the top of the eighth. Mercy regained the lead for good in the bottom of the inning. Koch doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on an error to make it 5-4. Senior Zach Ashline (Colonie, N.Y./Colonie Central) scored on a wild pitch to give Mercy a 6-4 lead.
Post scored a run in the top of the ninth to make it 6-5, but senior Samuel Gil (Bronx, N.Y./St. Bonaventure University) induced a fielder's choice to close out the win.
Mercy was led by Koch who went 1-for-3 with an RBI and by junior Nevin Scaperotti (Stormville, N.Y./Carmel) who went 1-for-2. Savoca went 1-for-4 with a run and Nisco went 1-for-1 with a run. Sophomore Andre Jenkins (Chester, N.Y./Chester Academy) made the start on the mound and went 5.0 innings with two runs allowed and six strikeouts to earn a no-decision. Sophomore Ryan DiNapoli (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown) pitched 3.2 innings of relief with one earned run allowed to earn his second win of the season. Gil picked up his first save of the season.
Post was led by Jesse Alfalla who went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Zion Fraser allowed two earned runs in 4.2 innings to take the loss.
Mercy had four hits and two errors and Post had 12 hits and two errors.
Game 2: Post 7, Mercy 4
Mercy took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Senior David Bernard Jr. (Schenectady, N.Y./Herkimer CC) singled home Nisco to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead. Post scored two runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-1 lead.
The Eagles added three runs in the third and two runs in the fourth inning to take a 7-1 lead.
The Mavericks scored two runs in the fifth inning to make it 7-3. Hesselbirg reached on an error and senior Kolongi Goins (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./FDR) and Koch walked to load the bases. Sophomore Anthony Altobelli (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) then doubled home Hesselbirg and Goins to make it 7-3.
Mercy scored a run in the seventh inning to make it 7-4, but could not score again, giving Post the 7-4 game two win.
Mercy was led by Altobelli who went 1-for-3 with two RBI and Bernard Jr. who went 1-for-1 with an RBI. Hesselbirg and Goins both went 1-for-2. Nisco recorded his 100th career run scored, becoming the 10th Maverick in program history to reach the mark. Scaperotti allowed five earned runs in 3.1 innings to take the loss. Senior Ryan Ehret (Broad Channel, N.Y./Monsignor McClancy) pitched 2.0 scoreless innings of relief and freshman Luke Esposito (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown) and sophomore Owen Brink (Hyde Park, N.Y./FDR) each recorded an out in the sixth inning.
Post was led by Alfalla who went 1-for-4 with two RBI. Jacob Schrage allowed no earned runs in 4.2 innings pitched to earn the win.
Mercy had four hits and three errors and Post had nine hits and two errors.
Head Coach Chris Schoen and the Mavericks resume action tomorrow when they face No. 17 Felician at 2 p.m. in Myrtle Beach.
