MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Feb. 25, 2017) - The LIU Post baseball team continued its strong start on Saturday with a 21-12 win against Merrimack College and a 3-2 triumph versus Southern Connecticut State University at the 2017 Northeast Challenge in Myrtle Beach.

Game #1: LIU Post 21, Merrimack 12
In the opener, the Pioneers exploded for their highest single-game scoring output in three seasons. Their 21 runs matched an effort by the green and gold against Post University on Mar. 7, 2014.

Down 11-5 in the bottom of the fourth, LIU Post rallied with a five-run inning to close the gap to a one-run game. Sophomore outfielder Dave Brehm (Bohemia, N.Y.) had a two-RBI double in the frame. Senior outfielder Kenny Daley (Glenwood Landing, N.Y.) and sophomore outfielder Joe Piscitelli (Levittown, N.Y.) each added an RBI single.

Two innings later, sophomore first baseman Anthony Vaglica (Franklin Square, N.Y.) led things off with a game-tying solo homer. It was his first of two round-trippers in the contest.

Junior outfielder Rob Andreoli (North Wantagh, N.Y.) then gave the Pioneers the lead for good in the seventh with a one-out sacrifice fly to center.

In the eighth, the green and gold busted the game open, tacking on a nine-spot to expand their lead to 21-10.

Andreoli, who earlier hit a three-run homer in the second inning, jacked another three-run shot in his final turn at-bat. Brehm and Vaglica both hammered a two-run shot in the effort.

Freshman pitcher Mike Lazos (Smithtown, N.Y.) was credited with the win, tossing 3.1 innings of scoreless relief. Fellow freshman Mike Stiles (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) received the no-decision in his first collegiate start. He allowed six hits, four runs and two walks and struck out two in three innings of work.

Game #2: LIU Post 3, Southern Connecticut State 2
Despite trailing 1-0 after two innings of play, the Pioneers (5-3) quickly responded with a run in the third to even the score. With a runner on second and two out, freshman first baseman Zach Fritz (East Meadow, N.Y.) stroked an RBI single to plate Andreoli for the game-tying run.

Andreoli also delivered RBI singles in the top of the fourth and eighth innings to give LIU Post a 3-1 advantage.

The Owls (2-3), who were twice caught attempting to steal home, managed to get a run back in their half of the eighth, but senior pitcher Dan Jagiello (West Islip, N.Y.) shut the door for the Pioneers with a two-inning save.

Sophomore pitcher Nick Schoen (Hicksville, N.Y.) earned his first win for the green and gold in the decision. He tossed 5.1 frames of five-hit, one-run, three-walk, three-strikeout ball.

Head Coach Mike Gaffney and his LIU Post squad wrap up play at the 2017 Northeast Challenge on Sunday (Feb. 26) against No. 12 Franklin Pierce University. First pitch is set for 9 a.m.