BOCA RATON, Fla. – Sophomore infielder
Gill Dolan hit his first home run of the season for Post University Baseball, but the Eagles were unable to overcome five unanswered runs from Bentley University, who held on for an 8-6 victory over Post, their second in the last two days against them in Boca Raton, Florida this weekend on the final spring trip this year.
THE BASICS
Post University 6, Bentley University 8
Post University (5-10)
Bentley University (5-4)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Junior infielder
Jesse Alfalla got the Eagles in front early, as it was the 10th game this season in which Post struck first in a game, but after today, they are now 4-6 in such situations. Alfalla's RBI single, along with graduate infielder
Hunter Keller's fielder's choice, made it a 2-0 game against sophomore right-hander Zach Eigenbrod, who recorded a no-decision in the contest after going five innings in which he allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits with five strikeouts, three walks, and a hit batter.
Bentley would answer back to the early scoring by Post with three runs of their own in the third off of senior right-hander
Justin Portes, who also picked up a no-decision after lasting 4 2/3 innings. Sophomore outfielder David VanderZouwen went yard against Portes, while graduate outfielder Jared Berardino did the same one batter later as the pair of solo shots tied the game up at two all. Sophomore infielder Curt Heath proceeded to give the Falcons their first lead of the day with an RBI double, but the advantage was short-lived as Alfalla knocked in his second run of the game with his RBI single in the bottom of the frame.
In the loss, Alfalla went 3-for-5 with two RBIs, as the Post offense had just one extra-base hit, which came via Dolan's home run in the eighth inning despite pounding out 11 hits. As for Portes, his start ended after he allowed three runs on six hits with five strikeouts, a walk, and a wild pitch while throwing 86 pitches. With senior right-hander
Harby Valera in the game, the Bentley offense got into a rhythm, manufacturing five runs off of him over the next three innings to take an 8-5 lead. Once again, Berardino went deep in addition to his sacrifice fly while Heath singled in a run.
Valera's final line saw him go 3 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits with three strikeouts, before junior right-hander
Dalton Wright shut down the eighth inning while allowing one hit and striking out a batter. After Dolan's three-run home run made it a two-run game, 8-6, heading into the ninth, Post would threaten against freshman right-hander Caleb Allen. Allen would hit senior catcher
Manny Contreras before striking out Alfalla and then putting the game-winning run at the plate after walking Keller. However, senior outfielder
Jayren Foster grounded into a game-ending double play, as Post dropped its third consecutive game, 8-6.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Gill Dolan recorded his first home run for Post University in the eighth inning of today's game, going 1-for-5 with that three-run home run and two runs scored
- Jared Berardino led Bentley University with a 2-for-4 day with three RBIs via his two home runs and a sacrifice fly, along with two runs scored
- This year, Post University has now scored first in 10 games, but holds a 4-6 record when taking the lead first -- The Eagles led 2-0 in the first inning this afternoon against Bentley University
- Evan Cornwell did not play in today's game, as his career hit total remains at 156 hits, Cornwell is 37 hits away from tying Dan Luisi for the most hits in program history at Post University
WHO'S NEXT
Post University closes its final Florida trip of the season with a matchup against Lynn University at 11:00 AM on Sunday. The Eagles are 0-4 in the all-time series against the Fighting Knights, last playing to a 5-1 defeat against them during the 2024 season.
