Uniondale, N.Y. - Junior James Varela tossed a complete-game shutout and senior Ramger Iglesiasdelivered the big hit for the LIU Post baseball team as the Pioneers advanced to the winners' bracket of the East Coast Conference Championship with a 4-0 victory against No. 2 seed Molloy College at the Mitchel Athletic Complex May 10.
 
The ECC Pitcher of the Year allowed seven hits on the day and worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the final inning to help push the Green and Gold into the winners' bracket. At the plate, Iglesias finished just 1-for-4 but delivered the big blow in the second inning with a two-out bases-clearing double down the left field line to drive in three runs for the Pioneers, providing all the offense needed to take down the Lions. Juniors Dave Brehm and Michael Manzionefinished 2-for-4 at the plate for the only multi-hit games for LIU Post.
 
A Molloy miscue gave LIU Post the lead in the top of the second inning when third baseman Jake McCarthy attempted to throw out Brehm at the plate for the game's first run. Three batters later, Iglesias ripped a double down the line in left field to clear the bases and give LIU Post a 4-0 lead through two innings.
 
Varela took care of the rest on the mound, stranding five runners in scoring position on the day and did not allow a base runner to reach third base until the bottom of the ninth inning. Despite allowing the first three batters of the inning to reach safely, the junior struck out the next two batters with breaking balls before inducing a soft fly-out to right field to end the game.
 
The third-seeded Pioneers will look to make it four wins in a row against No. 1 seed St. Thomas Aquinas College tomorrow when the teams do battle at 12:30 p.m. The Spartans came from behind to take down No. 4 seed University of Bridgeport 3-2 in the day's opening contest.

Provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.