FLUSHING, N.Y. – Junior pitcher James Varela tossed all 10 innings for his fifth consecutive complete game to help the LIU Post baseball team take game one 3-1 in extra innings against Queens College Friday, April 6 at Hennekens Stadium.
 
Varela did not allow a run until the bottom of the 10th inning, striking out 10 batters along the way. The outing marked the third time that Varela has reached double-digits in strikeouts this season. Queens' Michael Lamneck was equally as impressive, allowing just five hits over nine innings, striking out nine batters, but received a no decision after the Pioneers rallied in the top of the 10th inning for the win.
 
Juniors Jimmy Mendyk, Dave Brehm and Michael Manzione all tallied two hits on the day. Senior Ramger Iglesias delivered the clutch hit for LIU Post, a two-run single in the 10th to give the Pioneers the lead. Brehm added an RBI-single during the frame as well.
 
Neither team could capitalize on its opportunities through regulation, as the squads left a combined 11 runners on base through nine innings. In the extra frame, junior Joe Piscitelli drew a one-out walk and Mendyk followed with a single through the left side to put two runners on with one out.
 
A passed ball moved both runners into scoring position and following a strikeout Iglesias knocked a single to right field to plate both runs and give the Pioneers the upper hand. Two batters later Brehm added all the insurance that Varela needed to make it 3-0 heading to the bottom of the frame.
 
After a leadoff single, Varela retired the following two batters to get within an out of the victory. Queens did not go down easily though, as the Knights delivered consecutive singles to score its only run of the contest. Varela calmly induced a fly-out during the next at-bat though to secure his seventh victory of the season.
 
The Pioneers will host the Knights for two matchups tomorrow beginning at 12:00 p.m. at the LIU Post baseball field.