Baseball Opens Conference Slate With 13-3 Loss to Wagner

(box score)

4/5/07 – A six-run sixth inning proved to be the downfall of the Long Island University baseball team, as the Blackbirds dropped their first Northeast Conference game of the season by a 13-3 margin to Wagner. Long Island starter Kenny Cedel (Staten Island, N.Y.) was touched up for eight runs in four innings. Senior designated hitter Orlando Cruz (White Plains, N.Y.) provided one of the lone bright spots for the Blackbirds with a two-run blast in the fourth inning.

After allowing a run in the first inning, Cedel ran into more trouble in the second frame. With the bases loaded and one out, Wagner’s Damian Csakai drove in a pair of runs with a single. Shortstop Joey DiGeronimo followed with an RBI double, putting runners on second and third. Second baseman Pete Delleani then hit a three-run home run to put the Seahawks (5-15, 1-0 NEC) up 6-1.

Wagner added another run in the third on a sacrifice fly by catcher Chris Drechsel. Senior Robbie Rowen (Rosendale, N.Y.) got the Blackbirds first hit of the game, leading off the fourth with a double. Cruz came to bat next and launched a missile into deep right-center field to put Long Island (5-14, 0-1) on the board, 8-2.

Sophomore Andy Yawger (Morristown, N.J.) pitched well in relief despite seeing the first pitch he threw hit over the fence for a homer by designated hitter Ed Sudol. Yawger pitched three innings, allowing three hits, two runs and one walk, while striking out four.

Cedel (0-3) struck out seven Seahawks in his four innings of work. He allowed seven earned runs on seven hits and walked three. Kyle Morrison (1-5) picked up the win for Wagner, striking out seven over seven innings of work. He allowed two runs on four hits and three walks.

The teams will continue their four-game series with a doubleheader on Friday, April 6. The first pitch is slated for noon.