A two-out, bases clearing triple from
Connor Roggero gave New York University's baseball team a lead it didn't relinquish at Case Western Reserve University on Friday afternoon. The Violets won 7-6 in Cleveland, OH, to open a four-game University Athletic Association (UAA) set between the teams this weekend.
NYU improved to 17-6 overall and 7-6 in UAA play. The Spartans' record was evened at 15-15, but they sit in second place in the Association, one spot ahead of the Violets, with a 6-3 mark.
Roggero (3-for-5) led a trio of Violets with multiple hits, along with
Jacob Singer and
Grant Berman, while
Jack Hassett improved to 4-0 on the mound after 6.1 innings of work.
NYU stranded runners on second and third in the top of the first before CWRU plated a pair in the bottom half for a 2-0 lead.
The Violets got on the board with a run in the third as Roggero knocked a one-out hit and stole second before Berman singled him home. They threatened again in the top of the fourth, eventually leaving the bases loaded.
Then, Case Western Reserve broke out with three runs on five hits and an error in the bottom half for a 5-1 advantage. NYU answered right back, however, when Berman launched a solo home run to left center with one out in the fifth. With two outs, Singer came through with a two-run single to right that scored
Cam Dunn and
Nick Argenziano to bring the Violets within one (5-4).
The next inning-and-a-half was scoreless as the Spartans were hanging on to their 5-4 edge entering the seventh. In the top of the frame, three walks loaded the bases for NYU to bring up Roggero. He laced a 2-2 pitch down the right field line to clear the bases and give the Violets a 7-5 lead, their first of the game.
CWRU tacked on a run in its half of the seventh, but
John Gassler didn't allow a baserunner while striking out four across the eighth and ninth to earn his third save of the year.
Roggero finished 3-for-5 with three RBIs, a run scored and his second triple of the season.
Singer went 2-for-5, driving in a pair. Berman had two hits in four tries with two RBIs and a run due to his team-leading sixth homer of the year.
Dunn finished 1-for-3 with two runs and a double.
Hassett allowed six runs on 11 hits and a walk with four strikeouts in his 6.1 innings on the bump.
Aidan Dolinsky tossed the final two outs of the seventh with no baserunners allowed before Gassler came in to shut the door.
The teams continue the series with a doubleheader tomorrow in Cleveland. First pitch of game one is scheduled for noon.
