TAMPA, Fla. – The LIU Post baseball team opened its season against the second-ranked University of Tampa Friday evening, falling 9-1 at the University of Tampa Baseball Field in a contest that saw the Pioneers play the Spartans close for the majority of the game.
 
Senior Michael Manzione went 1-for-3 with one RBI and a double, senior Jimmy Mendyk went 2-for-3 while senior Anthony Vaglica and senior Sal Geraci also added one hit each. On the mound, senior James Varela struck out eight batters in 6.1 innings.
 
LIU Post got off to an impressive start as sophomore Christopher Wasson got on base after being hit by a pitch then stole second in the top of the first. He then scored after Manzione doubled to right center, giving LIU Post a 1-0 lead. Varela struck out two Spartans in the bottom of the first.
 
Tampa struck back in the bottom of the second, jumping ahead 3-1.
 
Varela responded by striking out all three Spartan batters in the bottom of the fourth and another in the bottom of the fifth. The top of the sixth saw the bases loaded for LIU Post after Vaglica singled to center field and Manzione and junior Zach Fritz walked. Unfortunately the Pioneers were unable to capitalize and the score remained 3-1.
 
Mendyk singled up the middle in the top of the seventh then Geraci followed with a single through the right side; Mendyk advanced to third but the Pioneers were still unable to chip away at the Spartans' lead. Tampa managed to hold out and expand their lead, taking the win 9-1.
 
UP Next
Pioneers return to the University of Tampa Baseball Field tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. for the second game of its series against the second-ranked Spartans.