LYNDHURST, N.J. Junior starting pitchers Harrison Paige (Springfield, Mass.) and Colin Sledzik (Higganum, Conn.) each tossed complete games and American International College came from behind in game-two to sweep Pace, 8-3 and 12-7, in Northeast-10 Baseball action this afternoon from the Lyndhurst Recreation Complex.
With the victories the Jackets have won four straight and improve to 9-18 overall and 4-6 in NE-10 Southwest action while Pace falls to 15-14 on the year and 8-4 in divisional play.
AIC started fast as they plated three runs in the first inning of the opener. Graduate student Dave Clark (West Springfield, Mass.) drove in a run on a fielder's choice and came around to score on a ground rule double from sophomore Chris Starcun (Easthampton, Mass.). Freshman Alex LaFayette (Ludlow, Mass.) followed that with an RBI single to score Starcun and give the Jackets a 3-0 edge.
The Jackets added to their lead in the second by plating a single run on an RBI triple by junior Tyler Geffert (Hopedale, Mass.) for the 4-0 advantage.
AIC then exploded in the top of the eighth to double their lead scoring four times as Clark doubled in a run and scored on a LaFayette single before senior Lucas Vallas (East Northport, N.Y.) blasted a two-run homer to left for the 8-0 advantage.
Pace wouldn't go down with a fight, however, and put a three spot on the board in the bottom of the ninth thanks to a three-run inside the park home run by sophomore Cory Capaldi (Telford, Pa.) for the 8-3 final.
Paige went the distance for the second straight game to improve to 2-3 on the year giving up three runs on eight hits with five strikeouts.
Graduate student Robert Rizzitelli (Monroe, Conn.) was dealt the loss after giving up four runs on five hits in just one-plus innings of work.
AIC outhit the hosts in game-one 11-8 including a 3-for-4 performance from Geffert and a pair of hits apiece by both Clark and LaFayette.
Then in game-two down 7-2 in the top of the seventh AIC plated five to tie the score as with the bases loaded Geffert was hit by a pitch to force a run home and then Clark cleared the bases with a two-bagger down the left field line then crossed home to tie the game on a single by Starcun for the 7-7 score.
In the ninth after taking the lead when a runner crossed home on an error, Vallas stepped to the plate and deposited his second homer of the day and freshman C.J. Boykin (Nashua, N.H.) plated two more with a single through the left side for the 12-7 score.
Sledzik improves to 4-1 on the year tossing his third straight complete game and fourth of the year. Sledzik scattered 14 hits while allowing seven runs (four earned) and fanning a pair.
Senior Josh Grant (Corning, N.Y.) was dealt the loss after tossing 2.1 innings of relief allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits. Junior Josh Garron (Old Tappan, N.J.) didn't factor in the decision after pitching into the seventh surrendering three runs on three hits while walking two and striking out six.
The Setters outhit the visitors 14-10 in the finale, however, every starter for AIC recorded at least one hit in the night-cap while Starcun led the way with a pair of base-knocks.
The teams return to action tomorrow as they finish the series with a noontime affair at New Haven.
