Hooksett, N.H. – The third-seeded No. 25 LIU Post baseball team began the NCAA East Regional Championship on a high note, overcoming No. 6 seed Felician University 7-2 Thursday night at Penmen Field on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University.
 
Senior James Varela had another dominant outing as he earned his tenth win of the season, throwing a complete game, striking out a career-high 15 and bringing his season tally to 139. He also only allowed two walks.
 
Senior Jimmy Mendyk led the Pioneers with one hit and two RBI while senior Anthony Vaglica and freshman David Franchi both had one hit and one RBI. Redshirt junior Andy Camilo added a hit and senior Dave Brehman RBI.
 
LIU Post got off to an early lead thanks to a three-run first inning. A sacrifice fly to left field by Brem that scored freshman Giovanni Ciaccio made it a 1-0 game and Vaglica followed by grounding out to shortstop, scoring Christopher Wasson. Senior Michael Manzione would score the Pioneers' final run of the frame on a wild pitch.
 
The Golden Falcons had no answer for Varela in the top of the third as he struck out the side.
 
The Pioneers continued to pile on the runs in the bottom of the third thanks to an RBI single up the middle by Franchi and a two RBI triple to right center by Mendyk that saw the Pioneers take a 6-0 advantage.
 
While Felician would add runs in the top of the fourth and the top of the sixth, Vaglica would score on a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh to give the Pioneers a 7-2 lead.
 
Varela struck out two in the top of the eighth and one more top of the ninth as the Pioneers would earn three quick outs and hold on for the 7-2 victory.
 
Up Next
The Pioneers advance to the winners bracket and will face second-seeded No. 17 Southern New Hampshire (37-12, 22-6) at 12:00 p.m. tomorrow at Penmen Field.

Release provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.