At a glance
The Mercyhurst North East baseball team scored three runs in the top of the 9th inning to rally for a 4-3 victory over Alfred State in a Region III Division II Tournament contest. The Pioneers fall to 23-14-1 on the year and will now face a must win contest versus #1 seed Monroe CC on Saturday afternoon beginning at Noon.
The Mercyhurst North East baseball team scored three runs in the top of the 9th inning to rally for a 4-3 victory over Alfred State in a Region III Division II Tournament contest. The Pioneers fall to 23-14-1 on the year and will now face a must win contest versus #1 seed Monroe CC on Saturday afternoon beginning at Noon.
Alfred State got on the board in the 1st inning when Yordis Veras (Newtown) walked, stole second, advanced to third when the catcher's throw went to centerfield, and scored when the ball rolled passed the centerfielder. Derek Speaker (Starpoint) made it 2-0 in the 4th inning when he singled home Bruno Saraceno (Binghamton) who had led the inning off with a single. Adalberto Vargas (Norman Thomas) drove in Kevin Underhill (Somers) with a fielders choice to make it 3-0 in the 5th.
Mercyhurst began its rally in the 8th when Benji Jarabeck doubled home Styles Carver. In the 9th, Brent Macko drove home Karl Swanson on a ground out to make it 3-2 before the Saints drew two, two-out bases loaded walks to take the lead for good.
Underhill finished 2 for 4 while Speaker was 2 for 5 with an RBI as the Pioneers collected seven hits on the day. Carver led the Saints with a 4 for 5 day as Mercyhurst finished with 11 hits.
Robert Goeke got the win with two innings of shutout relief of Mike Jackson who allowed two earned runs in seven innings of work. Craig Kosnikowski (N. Tonawanda) tossed 8.2 innings, scattering 11 hits while walking six and striking out six for the Blue & Gold.
In the other Region III Division II Tournament 1st round contest, Monroe CC downed Mercyhurst North East 10-2. ASC will take on Monroe CC at Noon on Saturday. If the Pioneers win they will take on Mercyhurst NE at 4 p.m. in an elimination game.