Graczyk Offense and Callaghan Defense Lead Baseball Past Pace, 5-3
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (April 13, 2010) - Freshman pitcher
Zach Badanes (Syosset, N.Y.) earned his first collegiate win, and senior right fielder
Mike Callaghan (East Meadow, N.Y.) made two standout defensive plays in the outfield, leading the C.W. Post baseball team to a 5-3 win over the Pace Setters on Tuesday afternoon.
C.W. Post improved to 19-9-1 overall, while Pace slipped to 9-22.
C.W. Post took a 1-0 lead in the first, as
Zack Graczyk (Carmel, N.Y.) walked to lead off the inning, then stole second. With two outs,
Anthony Corona (Carmel, N.Y.) roped a single down the left field line for a 1-0 lead.
The Pioneers tacked on another run in the second courtesy of a Graczyk single to right field that scored freshman third baseman
Kevin Chenicek (Levittown, N.Y.).
Another C.W. Post run in the third came off a Chenicek double that score Callaghan, and the Pioneers held a 3-1 lead.
Pace got on the scoreboard in the second as two doubles plated a run. They scored a run in the fourth on two singles, and another in the fifth on a two-out run scoring double, tying the game at 3-3.
However, the sixth inning saw the Pioneer put two runs on the board, as a wild pitch scored senior
Stephen Orefice (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.), followed by another Graczyk RBI single, and the Pioneers held a 5-3 edge heading into the bottom of the sixth.
Callaghan made a full out extended dive in the sixth with as runner on third, caught the ball, and threw out the runner at the plate to end the inning and preserve the lead.
Another outstanding play by the right fielder came an inning later as Callaghan made a spectacular catch, going over the fence and robbing a two-run game-tying home run.
Sophomore hurler
Michael Behar (Staten Island, N.Y.) pitched a scoreless eighth, followed by
Glen Hudson's (Sayville, N.Y.) save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Badanes earned the win with five innings pitched, scattering eight hits while giving up three runs.
Graczyk went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
The Pioneers take the field next on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Felician College.