Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The American International College baseball team put up three runs in the bottom of the ninth but it was not enough as visiting Pace University held on for an 8-5 Northeast-10 win Tuesday afternoon at AIC Park. It was the conference-opener for both teams.

The Setters improved 7-7-1 for the season with the win, while the Yellow Jackets fell to 6-9.

Pace led 5-2 heading into the top of the eighth and appeared to put the game out of reach after plating three runs in the frame off a two-RBI double down the left field line for junior left fielder Tyler Collins (Stamford, Conn.) and sac-fly to right from junior second baseman Kyle Turnier (Waterford, Conn.).

AIC tried to come back in the ninth after each of the first three batters reached base. Junior Darien Brown (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.), who started the inning with a pinch-hit single, started the scoring when he crossed the plate on an error by senior right fielder Kenny Wright (Middle Island, N.Y.) and senior catcher Anthony Arrichiello (Yonkers, N.Y.) followed with a two-RBI double off the wall in left center to cut the deficit to three.

Junior Neil Pezzullo (Harwich, Mass.) then replaced junior Jonathan Hornung (Calverton, N.Y.) on the mound and delivered the final two outs as the Setters held on for the win.

Collins finished the game 2-for-5, including a solo homer to lead-off the game, and three RBIs, while senior catcher Michael Rodriguez (East Hampton, N.Y.) went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.

Pace senior Mackenzie King (Blairstown, N.J.) allowed two runs on four hits with six walks and five Ks to earn the decision on the hill, while junior Geoff McCowat (Sterling, Va.) gave up four runs in four hits and six walks in 4.1 innings in taking the loss.

The two teams will meet again Thursday at Pace for a 3:30 p.m. NE-10 contest.