BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – The LIU Post baseball team outlasted Mercy College in 12 innings in the opening contest, but the Mavericks proved to be too much in game two as the Pioneers settled for a split at home April 21.
 
Senior Ramger Iglesias and junior Mendyk tallied three hits apiece on the day to lead the Pioneers. Junior Dave Brehm added three runs batted in, while classmate Anthony Vaglica scored two runs.
 
On the mound, junior Brian Kavanagh and sophomore Mike Stiles were outstanding in relief, tossing 5.0 scoreless innings. Sophomore Noah Lorenzo was also solid in game one, going seven innings while allowing just three runs but ultimate earned a no decision in the contest.
 
Game One – LIU Post 4, Mercy 3 (12 Inn.)
 
It was a marathon that could have easily gone much longer in the opening contest as both squads proved to be very evenly matched. The Mavericks struck first in the third inning when Miguel Ortiz Sanchez singled through the infield to drive in the game's first run. LIU Post tied the score an inning later on an RBI-double by Mendyk, though the score would not remain tied for long.
 
The Mavericks added a run in the fifth inning on a suicide squeeze, placing a perfect bunt down the first base line. The see-saw action continued in the sixth as LIU Post scored a run on an infield single and a throwing error by the Mavericks and the Pioneers added another run in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI-single by Brehm to take a 3-2 lead.
 
Once again, the lead did not last long. Mercy tallied a run in the top of the eighth on an RBI-double down the right field line, and this time the level score held through the regulation nine innings and the two squads headed to extras.
 
Neither team garnered a base runner in the 10th inning, and the Pioneers stranded one runner in the 11th. Stiles dominated on the mound, as he retired all nine batters he faced in the extra innings. Andreoli drew a one-out walk in the 12th and stole second during the following at-bat. Just as it appeared that the game was going to be extended even further, the Pioneers scored the game-winning run in strange walk-off fashion.
 
Brehm was called out on strikes for what would have been the second out, but the ball got away from Maverick catcher Nicolas Hagerty. Neither Brehm nor Hagerty seemed to realize the dropped third strike initially and Brehm eventually bolted for first. Hagerty attempted to throw around Brehm for the putout, but his throw sailed inside the base line and into right field. Andreoli broke for third on the dropped third strike and once the throw got by first base, he continued around third and scored easily for the game-winning run.
 
Game Two – Mercy 4, LIU Post 2
 
Game two was much less dramatic than the opener, as Mercy took control early with four runs in the second inning. At the plate, the Pioneers mustered just three hits through the first five innings and headed into the sixth trailing 4-0.
 
The bats finally came to life briefly in the sixth, as Iglesias reached first on a single with one out. Spitaleri singled in the following at bat and Brehm delivered a two-out double to center field to bring home two runs to cut the deficit in half. It was the final threat of the day, however, as the Pioneers went down in order in the seventh to settle for a split on the second day of the series with the Mavericks.
 
The two squads will battle to determine the season series tomorrow, as a win would secure the fifth consecutive ECC series win for the Pioneers, while a loss would hand them their first split of the season. First pitch for the final game at Mercy Field is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.