DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Apr. 28, 2017) - The LIU Post baseball team cruised to an 11-1 rout of East Coast Conference rival Mercy College on Friday at Mercy Field in Dobbs Ferry.

Scoreless through two innings of play, the Pioneers (21-16, 11-6 ECC) broke out for five runs in the third to jump out to a commanding 5-0 advantage.

The green and gold strung together five hits in the inning, three of which were RBI singles. Junior shortstop Joe Spitaleri (Levittown, N.Y.) broke the tie with a bases-loaded RBI single to right-center.

Senior designated hitter Thomas Asbaty (Randolph, N.J.) and junior outfielder Rob Andreoli (North Wantagh, N.Y.) each contributed RBI singles in the frame, as well.

The visitors weren't done there. In the fifth, LIU Post tacked on a three-spot to increase its lead to 8-0 at the midway point of the contest.

Sophomore second baseman Sal Geraci (Bayport, N.Y.) came through with two outs, driving a two-RBI single to center to plate Asbaty and freshman first baseman Zach Fritz (East Meadow, N.Y.).

Sophomore pitcher James Varela (Levittown, N.Y.) was dominant on the mound, tossing six shutout innings with five strikeouts. Senior pitcher Dave Anholzer (West Islip, N.Y.) and freshman hurler Kurt Rissland (Franklin Square, N.Y.) combined for 1.2 frames of scoreless relief.

Head Coach Mike Gaffney and the Pioneers return to action Saturday (Apr. 29), when they host Mercy in an ECC doubleheader at the LIU Post Baseball Field in Brookville. First pitch is set for noon.