Fredonia stages rally to top William Paterson
LAKELAND, Fla. — The SUNY Fredonia baseball team won in what is becoming a familiar fashion, coming from four runs down to defeat William Paterson, 7-6, on Saturday. Fredonia used a seven-run eighth to take command of the game, and five pitchers worked through the nine-inning contest.
The eighth started with a double by Patrick Sheehan and a single by J.T. Angora. Joey Coene was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A wild pitch scored the first run, and a walk re-loaded the bases. After an infield pop up, Nicolas Fiore doubled in the next two runs. Daniel Goodbread smoked a ball for another two-run double to give Fredonia a 5-4 lead. Joshua Crocetti and Angora added two more RBI singles to put the Devils up 7-4.
The Pioneers made a game of it in the ninth. After two outs, they were aided by a hit-by-pitch and a pair of bad hops to work in two runs, making it a 7-6 game and chasing reliever Bailey Gauthier from the game. Steve Zaprowski came in from right field for the second day in a row. He gave up a long drive to center, but Crocetti made a highlight-reel diving catch on the warning track to end the game and give Zaprowski his second save in as many days.
Freshman Sam Cestra earned the win in two innings of scoreless relief. Fellow greenhorn Joe Iacovelli tossed 2 2/3 innings giving up one unearned run, and Gauthier tossed 1 2/3 giving up two unearned runs. Ryan Howard started, and allowed one run in each of the first, second and third innings for the no decision.
“We have a busy schedule down here,” said head coach Matt Palisin. “We are counting on using a number of pitchers each game to keep everyone ready, and guys have been stepping up. We are winning the close games with contributions from everyone.”
Offensively, Sheehan had four hits, including a pair of doubles. Fiore added three hits, and Crocetti and Angora had two each.
Fredonia improves to 6-1, while Paterson falls to 3-3.