Apr 29, 2010
Baseball ties Hofstra 12-12 in 11 innings

Old Westbury, NY (April 27, 2010) - The NYIT Bears and Hofstra University Pride played to a 12-12 tie in 11 innings this afternoon in non-conference action. Junior Jerry Smith (Nesconset, NY) led the Bears offense, going 4-for-6 with three RBI and two runs scored. The 12-12 tie is the second on the season for the Bears are now 16-16-2 on the season.

The Bears staked starter, senior Louie Bernardi (New Hyde Park, NY) with an 8-0 lead, batting around the order in the bottom of the first inning. After sophomore Sebastian Grazziani (Whitestone, NY ) drew a bases loaded walk to force in the first run of the game, senior Christian Dienna (Old Bethpage, NY) was hit by a pitch to force in another. Sophomores Matt Carr (Westbury, NY) and Steve McNamara and Jerry Smith all followed with two RBI singles to give the Bears the 8-0 lead.

Hofstra got on the scoreboard in the top of the second inning as Scott A’Hara came around to score as senior Brian Smith’s (Nesconset, NY) throw on a double play groundball sailed wide of first base.

The Pride tacked on another unearned run in the top of the third, but the Bears responded with four runs in the bottom half of the frame to take a 12-2 lead. The Smith brothers hit back-to-back homeruns in the inning with Brian Smith connecting for his team leading eighth homerun of the season, a three run shot to right field,  and Jerry Smith delivering his sixth homerun of the season, a solo shot to right field.

Hofstra scored twice in the fourth and pulled to within 12-9 with a five run fifth inning. Mike Walraven’s two RBI double made the score 12-7 and Ethan Paquette’s two run homerun to left field pulled the Pride to within two runs.

After Hofstra plated two more in the top of the sixth to make it a one run ball game, 12-11, freshman Steve Cotov (Ozone Park, NY) and senior Andrew Guarrassi (Long Island City, NY) pitched two scoreless innings. The Pride rallied in the top of the ninth against NYIT reliever, senior Mike Roth (Rockville Centre, NY) as A'Hara singled in the game tying run with one out.  

Roth pitched through the 10th, allowing just a hit and senior Matt McDevitt (Howard Beach, NY) came on in relief and allowed a hit before getting out the inning. The Bears threatened in the bottom of the 11th, putting runners on second and third with two outs, but could not push a run across and the game was called due to darkness.

The Bears return to action this Friday as they open up a four game Great West Conference Series with NJIT at 3 p.m.