SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 17, 2015) - On Saturday, the LIU Post wrestling team picked up a split against Gannon and American International at the AIC Tri-Match at Butova Gymnasium.

The Pioneers (2-10) dropped a back-and-forth affair with the Golden Knights (4-1), 22-16, before rolling to a 33-15 win versus the host Yellow Jackets (1-3).

The loss to Gannon ultimately came down to the final bout of the afternoon. Tied at 16-all, freshman James Louison (Hauppauge, N.Y.) was pinned by Nick Budd (Port Allegany, Pa.) to end the match.

Earlier in the dual, LIU Post took four of five weight classes, ranging from 133 lbs. to 174 lbs. That gave the green and gold a 13-9 edge at the time.

Freshman Joe Calderone (Huntington Station, N.Y.) continued his torrid rookie start, majoring Aaron Smith (Conneaut Lake, Pa.), 16-3, at 133. Then, at 141, junior Jesse Meaney (Toms River, N.J.) won a hard-fought 5-3 decision over Adam Weinell (Blairsville, Pa.).

It only took two points (2-0) for red-shirt freshman Jackson Mordente (Farmingville, N.Y.) to defeat Nate Ross (Egg Harbor City, N.J.) at the 157-lb. weight class. Lastly, in the 165-lb. discipline, freshman Ed Ramirez, Jr. (Massapequa, N.Y.) edged Casey Pace (Erie, Pa.) by an 8-6 count.

In the rout of American International, LIU Post jumped out to a commanding 18-0 cushion. Calderone, Meaney and sophomore Tyler Walsh (West Islip, N.Y.) each won by pinfall in the opening three bouts.

Mordente and Ramirez, Jr. were victorious again at 157 and 165, respectively. Mordente bested Brandon Walsh (Griswold, Conn.), 8-1, while Ramirez, Jr. claimed a 3-1 triumph against Michael Schulze (Ehningen, Baden-Wuertteunberg).

Senior Chris DiIorio (Holtsville, N.Y.) put the proverbial cherry on top at 197, as he pinned Sheldon Rhoden (Hartford, Conn.) less than a minute into the second period. One match earlier, freshman Ronnie King (Islip, N.Y.) achieved the same result, pinning P.J. Baker (Wilbraham, Mass.) in 2:28 at 184.

Head Coach Joe Patrovich and the Pioneers return to the mat Sunday (Jan. 18), when they host Seton Hill at the Pratt Recreation Center at noon. The cost of admission is $5. All proceeds from the gate will benefit the family of Paul DiIorio, who passed away in December after a two-year battle with cancer.

LIU Post vs. Gannon - Jan. 17, 2015
125: Matthew Turek (GAN) def. Tyler Walsh (LIU) by pinfall (4:24)
133: Joe Calderone (LIU) def, Aaron Smith (GAN) by major decision, 16-3
141: Jesse Meaney (LIU) def. Adam Weinell (GAN), 5-3
149: Eric Lewandowski (GAN) def. Matt Langan (LIU), 6-4
157: Jackson Mordente (LIU) def. Nathaniel Ross (GAN), 2-0
165: Ed Ramirez, Jr. (LIU) def. Casey Pace (GAN), 8-6
174: Andrew Wood (GAN) def. Corey Ashe (LIU), 12-4
184: Zack Zelcs (GAN) def. Ronnie King (LIU), 5-3 (OT) 
197: Chris DiIorio (LIU) def. Ryan Morris (GAN), 9-6
285: Nick Budd (GAN) def  James Louison (LIU) by pinfall (3:43)

LIU Post vs. American Int'l - Jan. 17, 2015
125: Tyler Walsh (LIU) def. Connor Liebel (AIC) by pinfall (2:42)
133: Joe Calderone (LIU) def. Zachary Ziobrio (AIC) by pinfall (4:28)
141: Jesse Meaney (LIU) def. Anthony Milano (AIC) by pinfall (2:05)
149: Simeon Everett (AIC) def. Matt Langan (LIU), 10-5
157: Jackson Mordente (LIU) def. Brandon Walsh (AIC), 8-1
165: Ed Ramirez, Jr. (LIU) def. Michael Schulze (AIC), 3-1
174: Zack Winegardner (AIC) def. Corey Ashe (LIU) by pinfall (3:33)
184: Ronnie King (LIU) def. P.J. Baker (AIC) by pinfall (2:28)
197: Chris DiIorio (LIU) def. Sheldon Rhoden (AIC) by pinfall (3:55)
285: Soslan Khamitcaev (AIC) def. James Louison (LIU) by pinfall (3:47)