CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
Championship Dates: Thursday, May 16 – Saturday, May 18
Location: Penmen Field | Hookset, N.H.
Game Links: Watch Live |
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Twitter: @LIUPostPioneers |
@LIUPBSB
LIU Post Links: News |
Roster |
Schedule |
Stats
SNHU Links: News |
Roster |
Schedule |
Stats
Felician: News |
Roster |
Schedule |
Stats
Assumption Links: News |
Roster |
Schedule |
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THE FIRST LOOK
After a 15-0 triumph over the University of Bridgeport on Saturday, May 11 the Pioneers captured their second East Coast Conference (ECC) title in three years and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. With 36 wins, the Pioneers set new program records for both overall and regular season wins, eclipsing the previous record of 32.
No. 13 Southern New Hampshire University earned the No. 2 seed and will serve as the host site. Despite falling 3-2 to Franklin Pierce University on Tuesday, May 7 in the opening round of the Northeast-10 tournament, the Penmen posted a 36-12 overall record and a 22-6 record in conference play.
Felician earned the No. 6 seed after going 30-21 and 24-8 in conference play. They were the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) regular season champions but fell 5-4 to Bloomfield College in the opening round of the conference tournament.
Rounding out the bracket is No. 7 seed Assumption College. The Greyhounds went 26-18 and posted a 14-12 record in Northeast-10 play.
INSIDE THE SERIES
SNHU: The Penmen hold a 4-15 all-time advantage against the Pioneers. LIU Post will be looking to halt the Penmen's streak of three-consecutive victories.
Felician: LIU Post has a 10-8 all-time record against Felician and has had much recent success, winning the last three contests between the two teams.
Assumption: First taking on the Greyhounds in 2014, the Pioneers have a 3-3 all-time record against Assumption.
LAST TIME THEY MET
SNHU: Despite falling 2-0, the Pioneers pushed the ninth-ranked Penmen to the limit on Thursday, February 21, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Senior
James Varela struck out 10 batters in seven innings for the Pioneers. Seniors
Michael Manzione and
Michael Greene both had hits, while senior
Reynaldo Guillen recorded his first hit as a Pioneer and freshman
Giovanni Ciaccio had the first hit of his college career.
Felician: The Pioneers also faced the Golden Falcons in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and earned a 3-2 victory on Friday, February 22. A homer to center field by Manzione secured the win for LIU Post in the eighth inning, while he also had a team-high two hits. Wasson, senior
Anthony Vaglica and Guillen also had hits for the Pioneers and sophomore
Michael Andreoli earned the win on the mound, striking out four and not allowing a run in 3.0 innings.
Assumption: The Pioneers dropped a doubleheader against Assumption on Sunday, March 17 at the LIU Post baseball field, falling 5-4 in the first game and 11-7 in extras in the second.
Despite the losses, Vaglica had an outstanding day for the Pioneers as he went 6-for-8 with three runs, a double and two RBI. Redshirt junior
Andy Camilo went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a double, Greene added two hits, a triple and a run while sophomore
Christopher Wasson finished with two hits, two RBIs and one run. Junior
Mike Stiles struck out eight in seven innings while junior
Julien Arcos pitched 4.1 innings, striking out four.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
Statistically, the Pioneers have some of the best pitching numbers in the nation. LIU Post's 2.35 walks allowed per nine innings leads the nation, its 1.20 WHIP is fifth, its 3.32 strikeout-to-walk ratio is fifth, its 3.49 ERA ranks 11th, its 11 shutouts are 11th and its 8.50 hits allowed per nine innings is 26th. Its .960 fielding percentage is also 26th.
Freshman
Joshua Loeschorn's .73 WHIP leads the nation while his 1.36 ERA is third, his 5.20 hits allowed per nine innings is fifth, his nine victories are sixth, his 1.24 walks allowed per nine inning are16th, and his 6.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio is 21st
Varela's 124 strikeouts are fifth nationally, his 2.01 ERA is 20th, his 5.17 strikeout-to-walk ratio is 33rd and his nine victories are 39th. Lorenzo is fifth in complete games with seven, 22nd in walks allowed per nine innings with 1.39 and 41st in victories with nine.
At the plate, Wasson is hitting .335 with 70 hits, 48 runs, 30 RBI and 16 stolen bases while Vaglica is hitting .331 with 48 hits and 33 RBI. Senior
Dave Brehm is hitting .322 to go with 65 hits, 35 RBI and 19 stolen bases.
Manzione leads the Pioneers with 10 home runs and has 52 hits, 40 RBI and 37 runs. Ciaccio has tallied 40 hits, 41 runs, six triples and 15 stolen bases while Fritz has accumulated nine home runs, 38 hits, 35 runs, 17 doubles and 37 RBI. Camilo has also been a significant contributor, hitting .310 with 36 hits, 25 runs and 21 RBI.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children (12-and-under) and seniors (55+), and $1 for students with a valid ID. Fans can also follow along with live stats at
www.liupostpioneers.com.