Waterbury, Conn. - The Post University lost a heartbreaking 6-3 game to Jefferson in the first round of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference tournament, ending its season on Saturday afternoon.

The two teams were locked in a pitchers' duel for the first five innings, not allowing a run as Post senior Tyler Kovalewich (Colonia, N.J.) and Jefferson's Jack Galligan were racking up the strikeouts.

Jefferson got on the board first in the top of the sixth as Efrain Santiago's RBI single drove in Arturo Figueroa to give the Rams the 1-0 lead. It was the lone run Kovalewich would give up.

Kovalewich finished the game pitching six innings, giving up just one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out six. Galligan struck out nine in his five innings of work.

Post answered immediately in the bottom of the sixth off of relief pitcher Patrick Hohlfeld as freshman Christian Aliberti (Eastchester, N.Y.) singled to open the inning followed by junior Tyler Melko (Knoxville, Penn.) reaching base on an error. After the next two batters were retired, and with runners on second and third, freshman Nicholas Gastin (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) ripped a two-run single to score Melko and Aliberti, giving the Eagles a 2-1 lead.

Jefferson tied the game in the top of the seventh as Figueroa singled to score  Richard Joa who walked earlier in the inning to make it a 2-2 game.

Post took a late lead in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single by sophomore Matt Goehrig (Clifton, N.J.) scoring Aliberti, giving Post a 3-2 lead. Aliberti singled to lead off the inning.

In the top of the ninth, however, Jefferson rallied to score four runs. After a walk and two bunt singles loaded the bases, a wild pitch scored Joa, tying the game, 3-3. Austin Torres then walked, setting up Tim Brodhag who hit a bases clearing double giving Jefferson the 6-3 lead for good.


Aliberti finished the game 3-for-5 with two runs. Junior Travious Ford (Greenville, N.C.) was 2-for-5. Gastin was 1-for-2 with two RBI and two walks.

Matt Bukavich got the win for Jefferson. Brett Pisaneschi recorded the loss.

The Eagles finished their season 21-23 and 18-14, winning the CACC North Division title.