Mar 19, 2011
NYIT Baseball Picks Up Win No. 1 at St. Joseph's

• Box Score (PDF)

CAMDEN, N.J. (Mar. 18, 2011) - Sophomore Ali Rodriguez (Yorktown, Va.) hit a two-RBI single in the eighth inning of Friday's contest to plate the game-winning run against St. Joseph's College. The Bears were victorious 8-6 as freshman Rob Cafiero (Bethpage, N.Y.) scored the winning run. 

Also plated on the base hit was sophomore Robert Loftus (Massapequa, N.Y.). The Bears then tacked on two more runs during the top of the frame. Ryan Campbell (Bellmore, N.Y.) and Rodriguez were both driven home on a Jerry Smith (Nesconset, N.Y.) single up the middle. The four-run rally allowed NYIT to regain control of the scoreboard for good. The Hawks did respond with two runs in the bottom half but it was not enough as the Bears held on strong for the win.

NYIT scored first and quickly claimed a 4-0 lead by the end of the fourth inning. Campbell stole home to get the ball rolling in the first inning. He originally reached on a Hawk's throwing error. In the second inning, George Carroll (Bayside, N.Y.) hit a lead-off double to right centerfield and then scored as Cafiero grounded into a double play. Loftus then scored on a two-out base hit from Campbell. NYIT led 3-0.

Campbell was hot for the Bears, going 3-for-4 at the plate. He drove in his second run of the game in the fourth inning with a single to centerfield. The hit plated Rodriguez. The Hawks broke free of their drought with two runs in the bottom of the fourth and then knotted the game in the seventh inning.

The win was awarded to rookie Marcos Perez (Bronx, N.Y.), who pitched one no-hit inning, however faced two unearned runs. The save went to sophomore Ryan Dillabough (Whitby, Ontario, Canada). He tossed 1.1 innings of shutout relief for his first save of the year. Starter Preston Wasmund (Ajax, Canada) went 6.2 innings and struck out six. Four of the Hawks runs were credited to him. The loss was dealt to Brett Koliani (0-2).

Rodriguez went 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBI, while Campbell also scored twice and plated two. Smith chipped in with 2 RBI, while Loftus added two runs in the triumph.

The Bears return to action on Saturday, March 19 on the road against the Owls of Temple. First pitch is scheduled for 1:15 p.m.