Comeback Falls Short as Rider Defeats Long Island, 6-5

(Box Score)

4/25/07 -- Despite coming back from a four-run deficit to tie the game in the seventh inning, the Long Island University baseball team (7-25) could not use that momentum to take the lead as the Blackbirds fell to Rider, 6-5. The loss was the sixth in a row for Long Island. Freshman centerfielder Johnnie Neckar (Fort Myers, Fla.) hit his team-leading third home run and had a pair of RBIs.

In what has become an ongoing trend, the Blackbirds put themselves in an early hole. Rookie starter Jesse Johnson (Dingmans Ferry, Pa.) retired the first two batters he faced before loading the bases on a single and a pair of walks. Rider centerfielder Jon Leise then cleared the bases with a grand slam that put the Broncs up 4-0.

Long Island got on the board in the fourth when shortstop Greg DeSantis (Bridgewater, N.J.) hit a one-out single to score leftfielder Frank DiMasi (Staten Island, N.Y.). Rider (14-19) answered right back with a run of its own in the bottom of the frame. First baseman Matt McCollum took Johnson deep to lead off the inning and reestablish the Broncs’ four-run lead. After getting a fly out and issuing a walk, Johnson was pulled in favor of lefthander Kenny Cedel (Staten Island, N.Y.).

Johnson lasted four-plus innings, allowing five runs on four hits and five walks, while striking out three.

The Blackbirds chipped away at the Rider lead, scoring a run in the fifth and sixth innings. Neckar homered with two outs in the fifth and DiMasi hit a two-out RBI single in the sixth to cut the deficit to 5-3.

With no outs and runners on second and third in the top of the seventh, Neckar singled to left field to score Chris Kievit (Wayne, N.J.). One out later, second baseman Trey Bell (Georgetown, Del.) grounded out to first base to score Anthony Amatucci (Morristown, N.J.) and tie the game.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Cedel allowed a walk and a double to put runners on second and third. After an intentional walk to David Hayes, Cedel gave up a walk to James Hayes for what would be the game-winning run. Cedel fell to 0-5 with the loss.

The Blackbirds will return home to LIU Field for a four-game series with Northeast Conference opponent Quinnipiac that begins on Friday, April 27 at 3:00 p.m.