Hooksett, N.H. – With a spot a Super Regionals on the line, the No. 25 LIU Post baseball team fell 8-2 and 4-1 to No. 17 Southern New Hampshire University Saturday afternoon at Penmen Field at the NCAA East Region II Championship.
After dropping game one, the Pioneers needed to win game two to advance as they had won their way into the winner's bracket and then defeated the Penmen last night.
Despite the two losses, the Pioneers end the season with 38 wins, the most in program history.
Senior Michael Manzione had three doubles on the day while senior Dave Brehm had three hits, including a triple. Redshirt junior Andy Camilo finished with two hits and two RBI and senior Michael Greene also added two hits.
On the mound, junior Mike Stiles struck out five in 7.1 innings and sophomore Michael Andreoli threw 1.2 innings.
In game two, senior Brian Kavanagh struck out one and only allowed one run and three hits and four innings. Junior Julien Arcos and redshirt senior Robert Paccione also saw action.
Game One – No. 17 SNHU 8, No. 25 LIU Post 2
After Stiles and the Pioneer defense prevented the Penmen from scoring early, LIU Post's offense got rolling in the top of the second. Manizone knocked an RBI double to left center and Camilo followed with an RBI single up the middle, advancing on the throw. Camilo then scored after senior Jimmy Mendyk reached on a fielding error by SNHU's catcher to give LIU Post a 2-0 lead.
Stiles proceeded to strike out two and keep the Penmen scoreless in of the first but in the top of the fourth Southern New Hampshire would add three runs and make it a 3-2 contest.
Unfortunately for the Pioneers, SNHU would not allow another run for the remainder of the contest and six of their own to take the victory with an 8-2 final score.
Game Two – No. 17 SNHU 4, No. 25 LIU Post 1
The Penmen took an early lead after scoring in the bottom of the first. LIU Post looked to battle back as Manzione would double to right field in the bottom of the second double down the right field line in the top of the fourth, but LIU Post could not capitalize.
LIU Post's offense got rolling in the top of the fifth; Greene doubled down the left field line then Mendyk singled to shortstop. A sacrifice bunt from senior Ryan Dalton saw Mendyk advance to second but LIU Post could not capitalize.
A sacrifice fly to center field by Camilo that followed a triple to right center by Brehm tied it up 1-1 in the top of the sixth, but SNHU added another three runs in the bottom of the seventh to take a 4-1 lead.
The Pioneers were unable to add any further runs and pull off the comeback, falling with a 4-1 final score.
Provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.
