The Seawolves opened their 2007 baseball season with a 9-1 lose to nationally ranked #1 North Carolina on Friday.’ The win improved the Tar Heels to 5-0.
Stony Brook’s lone run came off the bat of sophomore outfield Michael Tansey, who hit a home run to left field that got the Seawolves to 3-1.’ That was as close as they would get, as North Carolina answered in the bottom of the inning, knocking out SBU starter Tom Koehler with a 3-run outburst.’
Carolina finished the scoring in the bottom of the sixth off of senior reliever Matt Lyons.’ Lyons did manage to hold the Heels scoreless over the final two frames, and surrendered only one hit.
The second game of the series, the first of a doubleheader played on Saturday, didn’t go much better for SBU.’ The Seawolves’ fell 8-2, as North Carolina continued to dominate all aspects of the game.
The Tar Heels got over six strong innings from their starter, Alex White.’ He allowed only 2 hits and 1 earned run.’ SBU’s starter Mike Errigo lasted over six innings, and gave up five earned runs on eight hits.
Carolina got off to a quick start, scoring a run in the first inning after Reid Fronk scored on a Dustin Ackley double to left center field.’ They also scored in the second, when outfielder Seth Williams reached on an error by SBU second-baseman Chris Sipp, and came around to score on an RBI single by right fielder Tim Fedroff.
The Seawolves cut the score to 2-1 in the top of the fourth. First-baseman Robert Leonard walked, and Michael Tansey followed him with a single.’ Both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch, and Leonard then scored on a sacrifice fly by left fielder, Steve Mazzurco.
2-1 was as close as the Seawolves would be the rest of the day, as Carolina added a run in the bottom of the fourth, on a Tim Fedroff home run, and in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single by Tim Federowicz.
The final four runs for the Tar Heels came in the seventh inning, after consecutive one out singles, and a stolen base put Carolina’s Dustin Ackley and Josh Horton on second and third, Chad Flack walked on four straight pitches to load the bases.’ Tim Federowicz then drove an 0-1 offering from Seawolves relief pitcher Jonathan Kalkau up the middle, to score both runners and give Carolina a 6-1 lead.’ Kyle Seager then sent the first pitch he saw up the middle to score Flack and put his team up 7-1.’ Mike Cavasinni, who had pinch run for Federowicz, scored the final run on a wild pitch by Kalkau.
SBU put runners on the corners with one out when Frier scored on a Robert Leonard ground out.’ Both teams went down in order in their final turns at bat, and Carolina cruised to an 8-2 victory.
In the final game of the series, played as the second half of a doubleheader because of expected inclement weather in the area on Sunday, the Seawolves gave their best offensive effort, collecting eight hits.’ But they were once again overpowered by the #1 Tar Heels, 9-2.
Centerfielder Brian Witkowski led off the game for SBU with a bunt single, and advanced to third on a double by Chris Sipp.’ Witkowski scored on an RBI ground out by Leonard, but Sipp was stranded at third after Michael Tansey grounded out to the pitcher, Luke Putkonen, and Steve Mazzurco struck out swinging.
Carolina got its first run across in the 3rd when Drew Poulk reached on an infield single, stole second base, advanced to third on a sacrifice fly, and finally scored on a Dustin Ackley ground out.
The Heels took the lead for good in the fifth after a two-run homer by Poulk, and an RBI ground out by Josh Horton.
Robert Leonard led off the SBU sixth inning with a single, and Michael Tansey followed him with a walk.’ Both runners moved up a base on a walk, and Leonard then scored on a ground out by Mazzurco, making the score 4-2.’ That was the final inning for starter Luke Putknen, who allowed only six hits and struck out six over his six innings of work.
SBU’s starting pitcher, senior right-hander Kurt Jung, lasted five innings and gave up six hits and four earned runs.’ Carolina added five insurance runs over their last two times up, pounding Seawolves relief pitchers Gary Novakowski and Joe Goglia to produce the 9-2 final score.
The Seawolves continue the season next weekend, playing three games at the College of Charleston on March 3 and 4.
