BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Behind 12 strikeouts from senior James Varela, the LIU Post baseball team opened its four-game series against the University of Bridgeport with a 2-1 victory Friday afternoon at Seaside Park.
 
Varela's 12 strikeouts was just two short of his season-best 14, which came against Assumption College in the Pioneers 3-1 victory on Saturday, March 16. It marked the second time this season he reached the 12-strikeout mark as he also accomplished the feat on Saturday, March 23 against Lincoln University in LIU Post's 28-3 win.
 
Senior Reynaldo Guillen had one hit and one RBI for the Pioneers while redshirt junior Andy Camilo, junior Zach Fritz and freshman Giovanni Ciaccio also recorded hits.
 
While it was Bridgeport who took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, the Pioneers made it a 1-1 contest in the top of the seventh after senior Jimmy Mendyk flew out to right field and senior Michael Manzione scored.
 
In the top of the ninth and RBI single by Guillen gave LIU Post a 2-1 lead then in the bottom of the ninth Varela struck out two and kept the Purple Knights scoreless as the Pioneers held on for the victory.
 
Up Next
The Pioneers resume their series with the Purple Knights tomorrow at the LIU Post Baseball Stadium with a doubleheader at 12:00 p.m.