March 30, 2011
Box Score
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Buoyed by an eight-run third inning - with every run coming with two outs - the Marist baseball team earned a 12-11 non-conference victory at Hofstra on Wednesday. Sophomore right fielder Dan Zlotnick (Katonah, N.Y.) went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs, and sophomore second baseman Zach Shank (Lititz, Pa.) went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Junior left fielder Michael Gallic (Tolland, Conn.) and red-shirt senior designated hitter Bryce Nugent (Binghamton, N.Y.) each scored two runs apiece.
After the teams each scored a run in the first inning, Marist plated eight in the third thanks to six hits, two walks, a hit batsman and two Hofstra errors, as eight consecutive Red Foxes reached base.
Hofstra fought back with four runs in the fourth and two in the fifth to cut Marist's lead to 9-7, but the Red Foxes responded with three runs in their half of the sixth. Gallic led off the inning by reaching on an error, and he advanced to second on a single by Nugent. Gallic then scored following two wild pitches, and Nugent came in two batters later on an RBI single by Helmrich. The Red Foxes scored their final run of the inning on a squeeze bunt by Zlotnick, which brought home Shank.
Hofstra added a run in the seventh on a solo homer by first baseman Joe Perez, and scored three in the eighth to cut Marist's lead to 12-11. But Marist senior right-hander Eric Alessio (Nyack, N.Y.) came in to record the final four outs, as he picked up his third save of the season.
Sophomore right-hander Brett Houseal (Landisville, Pa.) was credited with the victory as he improved to 2-1. Houseal pitched the fifth and sixth, and allowed two hits and two runs (one unearned) while striking out one. He relieved freshman right-hander Kevin McCarthy (Malverne, N.Y.) who went the first four innings in his first collegiate start.
Center fielder Danny Poma paced Hofstra's offensive attack by going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs. The Pride outhit the Red Foxes, 16-13, but committed four errors which led to nine unearned runs. Hofstra starter Stephan Kungl (0-3) took the loss, allowing eight runs - seven of which were unearned - in 2.2 innings.
Marist improved to 17-5; Hofstra fell to 4-15.
The Red Foxes will return to action this weekend in Buffalo when they face Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference rival Canisius in a three-game series. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday starting at noon, followed by a single game on Sunday at noon.
