GAFFNEY, S.C. (Feb. 18, 2017) - On Saturday, the LIU Post baseball team opened the 2017 campaign with a split against Gannon University at Founders FCU Stadium at Limestone College in Gaffney.

The Pioneers (1-1) dropped a tough 5-4 decision in the opener, but defeated the Golden Knights (2-2) in the nightcap, 9-2.

Game #1: LIU Post 4, Gannon 5
Trailing 4-0 in the opening game of the doubleheader, the Pioneers stirred up some two-out magic in the bottom of the fifth to even the score.

Following a lead-off single and back-to-back fly outs to start the inning, junior outfielder Rob Andreoli (North Wantagh, N.Y.) and sophomore infielder Jimmy Mendyk (Massapequa, N.Y.) both reached to load the bases.

Senior catcher Thomas Asbaty (Randolph, N.J.) was then hit by a pitch to put the green and gold on the board, before a bases-clearing triple from sophomore first baseman Anthony Vaglica (Franklin Square, N.Y.) tied things up.

However, in the top of the seventh, Gannon broke through against Dan Jagiello (West Islip, N.Y.) for the eventual game-winning run. Junior infielder Cody Callaway (Elyria, Ohio) hit a two-out, 2-1 offering to left-center to plate junior outfielder Kyle Cox (Dorchester, N.J.), who roped a one-out triple to center.

Senior right-hander Jake DeCarli (Higganum, Conn.) earned a no-decision in his first start of 2017, pitching 5.1 innings of eight-hit, four-run (three earned), two-walk, four-strikeout ball. Jagiello was tagged with the loss, after yielding one run and two hits in an inning of relief.

Game #2: LIU Post 9, Gannon 2
In the latter contest, the show was stolen by freshman southpaw Noah Lorenzo (Massapequa Park, N.Y.). He threw a complete-game seven-hitter in his collegiate debut, allowing two runs (one earned) and fanning a game-high 10 batters.

The Pioneers wasted no time offensively, striking for a pair of runs in the top of the first. Asbaty provided an RBI double in the frame, while Andreoli scored on a wild pitch.

Two innings later, the green and gold capitalized on an early error to put up a three-spot on the Golden Knights. Senior designated hitter Kyle Fagan (Wantagh, N.Y.), sophomore outfielder Dave Brehm (Bohemia, N.Y.) and Asbaty each stroked an RBI single to extend LIU Post's lead to 5-0.

The Pioneers eventually tacked on two more runs in their half of the fourth and sixth innings to pull away from Gannon. Andreoli and Mendyk both had RBI hits for LIU Post. Brehm contributed a two-RBI double to right-center.

Head Coach Mike Gaffney and the Pioneers return to action Sunday (Feb. 19), when they close out their initial visit to South Carolina with a doubleheader against Limestone. First pitch is set for noon.