Junior Scott Picerno pitched a complete game to lead the Ducks past Centenary. |
AUGUSTA, N.J. (May 3, 2007) – Junior Scott Picerno (Bayonne, N.J.) pitched a complete game in leading No. 3 seeded Stevens Institute of Technology to an 11-2 victory over second-seeded Centenary College in the opening round of the Skyline Conference Baseball Championship on Thursday at Skylands Park in Augusta, N.J. The Ducks (18-18) will now face Manhattanville College on Saturday at noon. Manhattanville defeated Farmingdale State College, 8-4, in the first round earlier today.
The Cyclones jumped in front early when senior Billy Geltzeiler (Rumson, N.J.) led off the first with a single and moved to third on a double by junior Andrew Materia (Jackson, N.J.). Geltzeiler scored the games first run on a wild pitch.
After leading off the second with a one-out walk and two singles to load the bases, the Ducks then tied the game on a Cyclone fielding error. Stevens eventually jumped in front on a bases clearing triple by sophomore Joe Gunshor (Ridgefield, Conn). Stevens added three more in the third on a wild pitch and a pair of bases loaded walks to junior David Katusa (Franklin Twp., N.J.) and Gunshor.
After Centenary added a run in the fourth on an RBI double by freshman Michael Fasano (Hawthorne, N.J.), Stevens tacked on five runs of its own in the top of the fifth to extend its lead to 11-2. The inning was highlighted by a two-run blast by senior Adam Sandt (Allentown, Pa.). Senior Andrew Tesoriero (Dunedin, Fla.) and Gunshor also added RBI singles during the rally.
Gunshor finished 3-for-5 with five RBIs, including his fourth triple of the season to lead Stevens. Tesoriero added three hits and an RBI, while Sandt went 1-for-5 with a run scored and two RBIs.
Picerno picked up his sixth win of the season as he went the distance, giving up two runs on six hits, while striking out five.
For Centenary, Fasano recorded the teams only RBI on his tenth double of the season. Cyclone starter sophomore Andrew Koncen (Elizabeth, N.J.) picked up the loss in 2.2 innings as he gave up seven runs on four hits.
Saturday, May 5 - Dutchess Stadium, Fishkill, N.Y.
GAME #3 – Manhattanville vs. Stevens, Noon
GAME #4 – Farmingdale vs. Centenary, 3:00 p.m.
GAME #5 – Loser Game #3 vs. Winner Game #4, 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 6 - Dutchess Stadium, Fishkill, N.Y.
GAME #6 – Winner Game #3 vs. Winner Game #5, Noon
GAME #7 – same as Game #6 (if necessary), 3:00 p.m.
