Baseball Advances to ECC Championship Game, Defeating Molloy 7-5
Box Score
BROOKHAVEN, N.Y. (May 7, 2010) – Senior starter Pete Budkevics (Deer Park, N.Y.) earned his eighth victory of the season, and senior Brian Saldana (Deer Park, N.Y.) came on in strong relief and earned his third save of the season, while the rest of the Pioneers pounded out seven runs on 13 hits to lead C.W. Post baseball past Molloy, 7-5, advancing the Pioneers into tomorrow's East Coast Conference Championship game.
C.W. Post improves to 30-14-1, just the third time the Pioneers have posted a 30-win season in school history. The best record comes under Coach Dick Vining in 1981, as C.W. Post had a 31-8 record. The 2007 squad posted a 30-19 record.
Molloy slips to 28-24.
Budkevics spotted the Lions three runs in the third, as a one out walk and steal of second by Carmine Pellechia (Staten Island, N.Y.) put a runner in scoring position, and consecutive singles with advances to second on the throw gave Molloy a 2-0 lead. A two out single plated another run, before Budkevics finally got a popup to second base to end the inning.
But the Pioneers answered right back in the bottom of the third, as senior shortstop Bryan Bonin (Commack, N.Y.) worked a two-out walk. Senior Mike Callaghan (East Meadow, N.Y.) singled through the left side, and freshman Anthony Corona (Carmel, N.Y.) followed with a booming double all the way to the fence in left center, easily scoring the two runs.
The Pioneers wasted no time, coming right back in the bottom of the fourth and putting up five runs, starting with a double down the left field line by sophomore designated hitter Nick Compito (Syosset, N.Y.). An error by the third baseman allowed senior Kyle Dean (Southbury, N.Y.) to reach base, and with two outs, freshman centerfielder Zack Graczyk (dropped a single into center field, scoring the tying run. Bonin again drew a walk, and Callaghan singled through the left side, scoring Dean and the speedy Graczyk from second base. Corona came through again with Bonin and Callaghan on base, singling in both runs and giving C.W. Post the 7-3 lead.
Budkevics settled down to keep the Lions at bay, giving up just one more run in the sixth as an Anthony Luisi single drove in the run and made the game 7-4.
However, Saldana came into the game and tossed a scoreless seventh and eighth inning, giving up a harmless run in the ninth but working out of a jam with two runners on base to seal the victory and put the Pioneers in tomorrow's championship game.
Offensively, Callaghan had a big day for the Pioneers, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. Corona and Bonin continued to hit well in ECC Championship play, as Corona went 2-for-5 with four RBI and Bonin batted 2-for-3 and scored two runs. Compito also added two hits in the effort.
The Pioneers take on the winner of this afternoon's Mercy/Molloy matchup tomorrow at noon at the Brookhaven Athletic Complex.