Asbaty Powers Baseball to 5-2 Win Over Molloy
Box Score BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Apr. 6, 2014) - Behind a strong offensive showing, the LIU Post baseball team secured the series with a 5-2 win over East Coast Conference rival Molloy Sunday at the LIU Post Baseball Field in Brookville, N.Y.
The Pioneers (10-8, 4-3 ECC) pounded out 10 hits to back a solid pitching performance from red-shirt junior Mike Eckerle (Hewlett, N.Y.), who improved to 5-0 on the season.
LIU Post went in front early, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second. With the bases loaded and two out, senior Tom Tolan (Malverne, N.Y.) singled to left to bring home freshmen Kenny Daley (Glenwood Landing, N.Y.), who drew a walk, and Brian Tinney (Farmingdale, N.Y.), who reached on a fielder's choice.
The next inning, juniors Joey Arena (Yorktown, N.Y.) and Anthony Brunetti (Bayville, N.Y.) singled to start the bottom of the third. Then, freshman catcher Thomas Asbaty (Randolph, N.J.) doubled to right, giving the hosts a 4-0 edge.
In the fifth, Molloy got on the board when Nicholas Gonchar singled up the middle, scoring Kevin Podell.
Later, in the eighth, Asbaty crushed a 3-1 pitch and sent his first collegiate home run over the fence in right field, giving the Pioneers a 5-1 cushion.
The Lions pushed a run across in the ninth, but Chris Anderson (West Islip, N.Y.) notched his second save in as many days.
Asbaty finished 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs. Vidal also had three hits for his second multi-hit game in the last three. Tolan collected two hits and two RBIs.
Eckerle tossed four perfect innings before allowing a baserunner in the fifth. The lefty threw seven strong innings to earn his fifth win. He struck out three, allowed three hits and one unearned run. Anderson allowed four hits, one earned run and struck out three for his second save.
The Pioneers return to action on Tuesday (Apr. 8), when they host Concordia in a non-conference tilt at the LIU Post Baseball Field in Brookville, N.Y. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.