Baseball Suffers DH Loss to Sacred Heart in NEC Opener

(Game 1)
(Game 2)

3/25/06 -- Long Island dropped a pair of losses to Sacred Heart, 4-2 and 3-0, in the opening Northeast Conference doubleheader for both clubs at LIU Field on Saturday.

Senior shortstop Sean Durkin (Damascus, Md.) went 4-for-7 and scored a run for the Blackbirds, who fell to 1-12-1 on the season and 0-2 in the NEC. Classmate Matt Martino (Staten Island, N.Y.) added three hits, including a two-run home run in the first game.

Sacred Heart wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in game one. David Kaloyanides led off the game with a solo home run that gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead.

The top of the third inning provided more fireworks from Kaloyanides as the senior outfielder hit his second home run in as many at-bats to push the Sacred Heart lead to 2-0. An RBI triple by designated hitter Josh Enos drove in Bobby McKee, accounting for the Pioneers third run.

Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the seventh, Durkin singled to right field with two outs. Martino followed with a shot over the right field fence that cut the LIU deficit in half. Junior Robbie Rowen (Rosendale, N.Y.) then flew out to center to end game one.

Redshirt sophomore John Dooley (Deer Park, N.Y.) pitched a complete game in a losing effort, allowing four runs on nine hits while striking out six. Junior Jay Monti picked up the win for Sacred Heart, striking out seven in the complete game effort.

After a scoreless first inning in game two, the Pioneers again jumped out to a lead early as Tony Diaz doubled to the left centerfield gap, scoring Jason Maiella.

The Blackbirds had an opportunity to score in the bottom half of the frame. With runners at first and third and two out, Durkin grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the threat. LIU left eight runners stranded for the game, including five in scoring position.

Down 2-0 in the fifth, the Blackbirds again had a chance to claw their way back. A bunt base hit by sophomore Dan Pirillo (Marlboro, N.Y.) led off the inning. After Durkin popped out to first, Martino reached on a fielder’s choice by the first baseman that allowed both runner’s to reach safely. With two runners in scoring position and two out, junior Orlando Cruz (White Plains, N.Y.) flew out to right to end the inning.

Senior lefthander Chris Aldrich picked up the complete-game shutout for Sacred Heart, scattering six hits while striking out five and walking none. Junior Rich Moran (Carmel, N.Y.) dropped to 0-4 on the season after allowing three runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Kaloyanides finished the doubleheader with an impressive 5-for-7 performance, including two home runs and four runs scored.

Long Island looks to rebound on Sunday, Mar. 26 with a nine-inning home conference tilt against Sacred Heart at 12:00 p.m.