MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Offensively, Post University Baseball has started to find its groove at the plate, scoring nine total runs in their Saturday afternoon doubleheader against Queens College down in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, but just coming up short in both outings. Despite an early lead in game one and a comeback effort in game two, the Eagles would be unable to get over the hump and get the ball rolling with that elusive first win of the season, dropping game one, 6-4, and game two in eight innings, 7-5. 

THE BASICS

Post University 4, Queens College 6
 
Post University 5, Queens College 7 (8 Innings)

Post University (0-4)

Queens College (2-2)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1: Post University 4, Queens College 6
Sophomore right-hander Jack Martineau's first start of the season lasted six innings in which he allowed five runs on five hits with one strikeout and two walks on just 67 pitches while an early 2-0 lead by Post turned into a 5-4 lead for the Knights by the time he would exit the game. Sophomore infielder Maico Cardona was 4-for-4 in game one with two RBIs after singling in a run in the second inning and driving in another run on his fourth-inning double.

The Eagles initially led 2-0 in the second on Cardona's RBI single and a fielder's choice by junior catcher Eric Perez which was immediately cut in half with senior infielder Matt Filip's RBI ground out in the home half of the inning. Leading 3-1 in the fifth, Martineau would allow the tying runs to score on a triple by junior infielder Nick Piazza which scored two, and then sophomore outfielder Michael Vilardi's sacrifice fly gave the Knights their first lead of the game, 4-3. 

Sophomore outfielder Dario Sosa tied the game up at four with his RBI double off sophomore right-hander Reynaldo Angeles, who relieved junior right-hander Christopher Naronis for Queens (N.Y.), while Cardona was thrown out trying to score on the play in the sixth. Naronis, who started the game, would be yanked in that inning without recording an out, finishing with a line of four runs allowed on five hits following the Sosa double closing the day on his line while recording three strikeouts, three hit batters, and a walk. 

Angeles would go on to get the win in relief as senior outfielder Nick O'Conner's two-run single off sophomore right-hander Sebastian Velasquez in the seventh proved to be the game-winning runs in the 6-4 victory for the Knights in game one. Post did have a chance against Angeles in the eighth inning to do some damage with the bases loaded and two outs, but a fielder's choice by freshman infielder Rene Vega III ended the threat. 
 
Game 2: Post University 5, Queens College 7 (8 Innings)
Senior right-hander Justin Portes would get the ball for game two in what would be his first appearance since March 22nd, 2024 against Felician University at home. Lasting only 1 1/3 innings, Portes would allow five runs on just two hits as seven walks and two wild pitches helped Queens (N.Y.) take a 5-0 lead in the first inning. Three of the five runs would come on walks or wild pitches while senior infielder Robert Jacobsen had a two-run single as one of only two hits in the first inning for the Knights. 

Despite the early deficit, the Eagles would slowly make up ground as the seven-inning affair went on as senior third baseman Justin Rivera's ground out and graduate outfielder Jaylen Kelley's RBI single got Post on the board with two runs in the third, making it a 5-2 ballgame. Senior infielder Hunter Keller's RBI single in the same inning made it a two-run game and by the end of the fourth, the Eagles were within one run after junior outfielder Harby Valera's RBI single.

Vilardi, who started game two for the Knights, was lifted after four innings for junior right-hander John Keane who ran into some trouble in the sixth inning, allowing back-to-back singles to sophomore infielder Jesse Alfalla and graduate first baseman Hayden Roberge before being pulled for freshman right-hander Severino Napolitano Jr. with one out. After getting Valera to strike out, a balk and two hit batters tied the game up at five before Roberge ended the inning attempting to swipe home on a wild pitch.

Needing to go past the scheduled seven innings, Jacobsen would end up being the hero for the Knights, breaking their scoring drought which lasted six innings, launching the go-ahead two-run home run off sophomore right-hander CJ Pierce. Senior right-hander Nick Kozerski would shut the door on Post to give the Knights the 7-5 win and sweep of the doubleheader after allowing Roberge and Alfalla to reach which sent Valera to the plate with no outs as the winning run.

Valera would line out into a double play as Roberge was doubled off first before Rivera grounded out to end the game as the Eagles dropped to 0-4 on the young season and on a six-game losing streak dating back to last year's NCAA Tournament. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• Maico Cardona finished the doubleheader 4-for-7 with a double, two RBIs, and a walk for Post University -- All four hits came in game one of the doubleheader while Cardona went 0-for-3 with a walk in game two 
• In their first four games, Post University has finished the game with more hits than their opponent while tying only Mercy University yesterday as both teams had 17 hits each and being outhit 11-7 by Franklin Pierce University in the season opener 
• As a pitching staff today, Post University allowed 19 walks while striking out only 11 batters across the two games -- In their first two games of the season, the Eagles had 23 strikeouts and only four walks bringing the season totals to 34 strikeouts and 23 walks through four games 
• This is the first time since the 2021 season in which Post University has started the season 0-4 and only the sixth time in program history since the 1995 season (NAIA)

WHO'S NEXT
Post University closes out its stint in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina bright and early against Molloy University who was the East Region Finalist last season before falling to Southern New Hampshire University. First pitch is scheduled for 9:00 AM and it will be the first time since the 2016 season in which the teams have faced off with the Lions taking 10 of those 12 games, including the last one, 14-5.