Feb. 24, 2007

Box Score

NORFOLK, VA - Senior pitcher Jay Monti (Marlboro, NY) threw six shutout innings in game two of a doubleheader for a 4-0 win for Sacred Heart and a split of the twinbill at Norfolk State. The Spartans won the opener 8-4.

Monti allowed just four hits, while striking out five and walking one enroute to his first win of the year. Chris Barthel pitched a perfect seventh inning to end the game.

The Pioneers got the only run they would need in the second game in the third inning when junior catcher Frank Bainer was hit with a pitch to lead off the inning, went to second when Ryan Nemcek walked and went to third on a sacrifice bunt from freshman Justin Mulrian. He scored on a groundout to short by Jovan Rodriguez.

SHU made it 2-0 in the fifth on an RBI single from senior third baseman Rob Tencza. Senior Jason Maiella made it 3-0 in the sixth with a solo homer down the left field line. Bainer scored the fourth run when he led off the seventh with a double and later scored on a double play grounder.

In the opening game, Norfolk State (6-5) got scored three times in the first inning off SHU starter Chris Howard on just one hit when Howard walked three batters and hit another.

The Pioneers got one back in the second inning on an RBI single by senior catcher Jamie Morales that scored Pete Kandybowicz.

SHU took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth with a trio of runs. Nemcek led off the inning with a walk. Mulrain laid down a bunt and reached first safely when an attempt to get Nemcek at second failed on an errant throw from Norfolk starter De'Mece Williams. Rodriguez then loaded the bases with an infield hit and senior Bobby McKee drove home a pair with a single to center. He went to third on a groundout and scored on a passed ball.

Norfolk retook the lead in the bottom of the inning on an RBI double by catcher Lyall Foran, and then a two-out error by Rodriguez in left field.

Tencza had a big day at the plate for the Pioneers with three hits and an RBI in the twinbill. Kandybowicz had just one hit but walked three times. Rodriguez stole three bases.

The two teams will conclude the three-game series tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m.