SPRINGFIELD,Massachusetts The American International College baseball team was victorious in its home opener against the Post University Eagles by a score of 5-3.
With the win, AIC moves to 5-13 overall and 1-3 in conference while Post drops to 5-11-1 overall and remains 2-0 in the CACC.
The Eagles were first to score, wasting no time as they drove a deep double to right center field score a runner from second base in the top of the first inning. AIC responded in the second inning, with Andrew Ciacciareli grounding out to the second baseman, allowing Mike Wroth to score from third base to tie the game up at 1-1.
In the top of the fifth the Eagles took the lead back after a wild pitch scored a runner from third base, putting the visitors up 2-1. That would be the last time Post led AIC, as the Yellow Jackets scored two runs of their own in the next half-inning. K.J. White sent a bomb to deep left center field that was a couple feet away from going over to score Matt Costanza from second base. Chris Starcun then sent a deep single to right field to score White from second, making it a 3-2 lead for AIC.
Not wanting to cool down the jets, AIC scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth. A fielder's choice at second base hit by Josh Aviles was all it took to score Joe Pepe from third to give the Yellow Jackets their fourth run of the game. Later in the inning, AIC saw Eugene Quirk score on a wild pitch to make it 5-2.
Post scored one run in the top of the ninth, but nothing else materialized after a shot up the middle scored a pinch runner from second base.
AIC used a combined six pitchers in their win, with Jason Coscio getting the start and earning no decision. Coscio went two innings, giving up three hits and one run with one strikeout. Ryan Bruning was next up, going two innings himself, striking out one batter. Kyle Simcock came in to pitch one inning and gave up one run in his sole frame along with two walks. Brendan LaVallee pitched two spotless frames next for the Yellow Jackets en route to his first win of the year, evening his record at 1-1. Anthony Crudale was given an inning to show his stuff before Joe Pepe was put in from shortstop to throw the last inning. Pepe got the save, letting up two hits and one run in his lone inning of action.
AIC has a busy weekend planned, as they play Le Moyne College three times in two days, with a single game scheduled for Saturday, April 1 at 3:30 p.m and a double header on Sunday, April 2 at 12 p.m and 3 p.m.
