BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Apr. 12, 2015) - On Sunday, the LIU Post baseball team split an East Coast Conference doubleheader with Dowling, falling in the opener, 15-1, before taking the night cap, 8-4, at the LIU Post Baseball Field in Brookville.

The Pioneers (11-10, 9-6) couldn't get anything going offensively in the first game, as Dowling's (17-7, 7-4) Brenden Butler tossed 7.0 scoreless innings. LIU Post only recorded three hits off the righty. 

The Golden Lions got off to a hot start, scoring five runs in the top of the first off starter James Long (Oceanside, N.Y.). They would add a run in the second and two in the third, ending Long's day. Then, in the fifth, Dowling added another run before scoring two in the sixth and four in the seventh.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Pioneers showed some life after a Ryan Feminella (Bayshore, N.Y.) single loaded the bases with one out. Pinch hitter Steve Teitel (Merrick, N.Y.) would drive in freshman outfielder Rob Andreoli (North Wantagh, N.Y.) with a sacrifice fly for the lone LIU Post run.

In the second game, the Pioneers found themselves in a hole early once again as red-shirt senior pitcher Connor McCarthy (Westbury, N.Y.) allowed two runs in the first.

But, sophomore outfielder Kenny Daley (Glenwood Landing, N.Y.) would respond in a big way, leading off the bottom of the first with a home run to left. Later in the inning, sophomore catcher Kyle Fagan (Wantagh, N.Y.) singled to right, scoring red-shirt senior Anthony Brunetti (Bayville, N.Y.). Then, with runners on the corners, Fagan stole second and Rob Costanzo's throw hit sophomore Thomas Asbaty (Randolph, N.J.) as he was coming home, allowing the run to score, giving the Pioneers a 3-2 lead after one inning. 

In the second, graduate outfielder Vinny Iacono (Nesconset, N.Y.) hit a long double to left, scoring Daley, giving the green and gold a 4-2 lead.

Dowling would score one in the third and one in the fourth to tie it at 4-all, but the Pioneers weren't done.

In the sixth, Andreoli singled to lead off the inning. Daley followed with a single to left, and both runners moved up a base on a fielding error by Anthony Ferrante. After a pitching change, Iacono drew a walk to load the bases. Brunetti followed with a comebacker, but Dennis Buckstein's throw was up the line, allowing Andreoli to score with the go-ahead run. Then, junior David Groeneveld (Centereach, N.Y.) drove in a run with a bases loaded walk. Asbaty followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Iacono, and Fagan drove in a run with a fielder's choice, making it 8-4.

In the seventh, McCarthy got some help from second baseman Matt Bowers (Staten Island, N.Y.), who made a diving play up the middle to take a way a hit with one out. After a two-out single, McCarthy struck out Dowling's RJ Going for the final out.

McCarthy improved to 2-2 with the win. The righty allowed seven hits, four runs (two earned), walked four and struck out seven.

Daley went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and the homer, while Fagan drove in two runs.

Head Coach Mike Gaffney and the Pioneers wrap up their four-game set with Dowling on Monday (Apr. 13) at Golden Lions Field in Brookhaven. The first pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.