Apr 23, 2011
Bears, Sioux Split Friday GWC Doubleheader

• Game 1 Box Score (PDF)
• Game 2 Box Score (PDF)

OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (Apr. 22, 2011) - NYIT baseball earned a doubleheader split with the University of North Dakota Friday afternoon in Great West Conference action. The Bears faced a tought 7-6 edging in game one but rallied to a 3-1 nightcap victory. 

Senior first baseman Effrey Valdez (Flushing, N.Y.) batted a perfect 7-for-7 with two home runs and an additional run scored. Sophomore designated hitter Ali Rodriguez (Yorktown, Va.) also went yard, while rookie Rob Cafiero (Bethpage, N.Y.) hit the team's first triple of the season.

On the mound, NYIT's win went to Tom Cardona (Bronx, N.Y.), who tossed 6.0 innings and struck out six while UND scatted three hits. J.C. Costa (Flushing, N.Y.) earned his second save of the season in one inning of relief that resulted in one run off of two hits. He also struck out two.

GAME 1: North Dakota 7, NYIT 6
The Fighting Sioux took an early 2-0 lead after the third inning, but the Bears responded with four runs in the fourth inning to claim the advantage. Valdez hit a leadoff homer to centerfield to end the shutout. However, the next two batters quickly put two outs on the board. Then sophomore leftfielder Dan Lackner (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) reached on an error and then advanced to second. Second baseman Steve McNamara (Levittown, N.Y.) was then dealt a walk and the bases became loaded as senior catcher George Carroll (Bayside, N.Y.) was hit by a pitch. With two outs on the board, Cafiero blasted a triple down to left centerfield that cleared the bases and put NYIT up 4-2.

NYIT added a run in the fifth as Valdez hit a two-out homerun to left field. The Bears led 5-2.

However, UND unloaded in the sixth to regain control of the scoreboard. The Sioux earned its seventh run in the seventh all the while keeping NYIT at bay. The Bears attempted to rally in the night, but were only able to plate one run as Rodriguez scored on a Jerry Smith (Nesconset, N.Y.) single.

The win went to Jake Swift (1-4), while the loss went to senior RHP Preston Wasmund (Ajax, Ontario, Canada). He went 6.2 innings and struck out six. All seven runs were credited to him. Sophomore RHP Ryan Dillabough (Whitby, Ontario, Canada) closed out the game with 2.1 innings of shutout relief.

GAME 2: NYIT 3, North Dakota 1
The Bears got on the scoreboard first with Rodriguez leadoff homerun to left field. Cardona and NYIT's defense successfully held off the Sioux while scoring additional runs in the fourth and sixth innings.

Senior centerfielder Smith scored on a McNamara single up the middle. Smith got on with a base hit through the right side and then advanced to second as rightfielder Dane Hardy (Willingboro, N.J.) grounded out. The Bears led 2-0 at the end of the fourth.

Valdez then scored his third run of the day and the team's third of the game on an Eric Cos (Coral Gables, Fla.) single up the middle. Valdez reached on a leadoff base hit and advanced to second on a Smith sacrifice bunt. NYIT led 3-0 heading into the top of the seventh.

Unfortunately, North Dakota ended the shutout with a base hit from Sean Means. He plated Zack Trygstad, who got on with a double to the centerfield fence.

ON DECK
NYIT and North Dakota continue play with a doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 23. First pitch is slated for Noon at President's Field. Inclement weather is in the forecast  so please check the NYIT baseball schedule for updates.