Links: Box Score
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.  – The Merrimack College baseball team loaded the bases in the top of the ninth on Thursday night against LIU Post, facing a 3-2 deficit, but the Pioneers were able to keep the Navy and Gold off the board in a one-run defeat for the Warriors in their opening game at the Northeast Challenge in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The Basics
Score: LIU Post 3,
Merrimack 2
Records: Merrimack (1-2) | LIU Post (3-2)
Location: Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Rapid Recap
- Two singles and a run-scoring groundout got LIU Post on board, scoring twice off senior lefty PJ Browne to jump in front in the bottom of the first
- Graduate student Tyler Lyne scored Merrimack's first run after singling and stealing second. Senior Matt Nicholson singled with two outs to drive Lyne in
- Each team scored played one run in the fifth. Merrimack tied the game on a run-scoring single from sophomore Joey Porricelli, plating junior Cory Wasylow to tie the game at 2-2. The Pioneers responded with a solo homer to center in the bottom half, however, to take the lead back
- Sophomore Stephen Fleury relieved Browne in the bottom of the seventh and kept LIU Post off the scoreboard to keep Merrimack within one, 3-2, entering the top of the ninth
- Junior William Keegan pinch hit with two outs in the ninth and walked, which was followed by two more base on balls to load the bases for Porricelli, but the second-year infielder flew out to end the game
Notes and Notables
- Browne's Final Line (0-1, L): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
- Lyne went 2-for-4 to lead Merrimack offensively, scoring one of the Warriors' two runs
- Fleury lowered his ERA to 2.70 through two appearances this season, adding a pair of strikeouts on Thursday
- The Warriors struggled with runners in scoring position, hitting just 2-for-8 on the night
Up Next
Merrimack plays in the afternoon tomorrow, facing Concordia (NY) at 1:30 p.m. from Myrtle Beach
