MT. PLEASANT, S.C. (Mar. 4, 2011) – A three-run rally in the ninth was not enough as NYIT baseball dropped its season opener 6-3 to No. 25 Auburn Friday afternoon at the CoC Classic, hosted by the College of Charleston.

 

The win went to Cory Luckie (1-1), who pitched 7.0 innings with six strikeouts. Ethan Wallen earned his second save of the season. The loss was dealt to Preston Wasmund (Ajax, Ontario, Canada), who pitched 4.0 innings and struck out three.

 

Sophomore Ali Rodriguez (Yorktown, Va.) led the Bears with two RBI and one run scored, while senior Effrey Valdez (Flushing, N.Y.) also drove in a run. Sophomore Dane Hardy (Willingboro, N.J.) and Steve McNamara (Levittown, N.Y.) scored while pinch hitting in the ninth.

 

The Bears opened strong in the first as two runners got on with one out and another two moved into scoring position on two outs. However, no runs were scored as the top of the inning closed on a groundout. NYIT was held at bay until the ninth.

 

Wasmund did a tremendous job in the first two innings, but Auburn would score first in the third with two runs. Casey McElroy and Justin Hargett made it home on a two-out Dan Gamache single down the right field line. With a runner left at third, shortstop Rodriguez found the glove of catcher George Carroll (Bayside, N.Y.)for the final out at home. Auburn led 2-0.

 

The Tigers then added to their tally as Cullen Wackner scored on a Justin Fradgejas two-out single. The Bears pitching did a solid job of holding off Auburn for two more innings before McElroy launched the only home run of the game to left field. The hit drove in three runs to give the Tigers a 6-0 advantage.

 

The Bears were finally able to get on the scoreboard in the top of the ninth. Hardy came in to pinch hit for Carroll and reached on a Tigers’ throwing error. McNamara then pinch hit for Dan Lackner (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) and singled through the right side to get two Bears on. Freshman Rob Cafiero (Bethpage, N.Y.) entered the game and advanced the runners as he grounded out. A Rodriguez one out double up the middle drove both runners home to make the score 6-2.

 

Still with just one out, Rodriguez moved to third after Ryan Campbell reached on a fielder’s choice. This forced a pitching change for the Tigers and brought Valdez up to the plate. The third baseman singled through the right side, bringing home Rodriguez and putting Campbell on second. However, that was the best NYIT could do to close the gap as it fell 6-3 on a groundout.

 

For the Tigers, McElroy scored two runs and batted in three.

 

NYIT returns to action on Saturday, March 5 against Western Kentucky in day two of the CoC Classic. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m.