Kasprzyk strikes out two hitters in scoreless eighth

AUBURNDALE, Fla.  – The Wheaton College baseball team lost its first contest of the 2014 season as Cortland State interrupted the Lyons six-game winning streak with a 7-0 non-conference victory at Lake Myrtle Field earlier this evening. The Red Dragons entered the contest ranked No. 8 overall in the latest D3baseball.com Top-25 national poll, while the Blue and White are positioned at No. 11. 

Cortland State senior starter Mark Palumbo (Morristown, N.J./Morristown) gave up just three hits over six shutout innings alongside three strikeouts. Classmate Steve Komanecky (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) earned the save over three innings of work, two hits, one walk and two punchouts. 

Wheaton senior right-hander Alec Palioca (Wrentham, Mass./King Philip Regional) was dealt the loss on seven innings pitched, three hits, three runs (all earned), two walks and five strikeouts. Freshman Kyle Kasprzyk (East Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth) was solid out of the pen striking out two batters in a scoreless eighth. 

The Red Dragons grabbed a quick 3-0 advantage in the top of the second as senior catch Tim Panetta (Mount Kisco, N.Y./Fox Lane) shot a three-run double into the right-center gap to clear the bases. Cortland State also added four runs in the top of the ninth to put the game away. 

Wheaton threatened in the fifth inning as junior Mike Bisceglia (New Boston, N.H./Goffstown) roped a leadoff double to right-center but remained at second as Palumbo recorded a ground out to third, pop up to second and a fly out to center to escape the jam.

In the seventh, Wheaton freshman second baseman Joshua LaJoie (Somers, Conn./Avon Old Farms) the Lyons deficit to 3-0 snaring a low line drive as the infield was playing in with one out in the frame and a runner at third base. Palioca wrapped up the frame with his fifth and final strikeout to keep the Red Dragons' offense at bay. 

Kasprzyk made quick work of Cortland State in the eighth with a fly out to right field, a strikeout swinging and a strikeout looking as he jammed his final batter of the inning with a pitch over the inner half of the plate. 

Wheaton (6-1) will play Marietta College tomorrow in Port Charlotte, Fla. at 2:30 p.m. Cortland State (9-2) takes on Southern Maine tomorrow in Auburndale, Fla. at Lake Myrtle Field at 4 p.m. 

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