LYNDHURST, N.J. – The East Stroudsburg University baseball team used three runs in the fifth inning to defeat Felician 5-1, on Wednesday afternoon at the Lyndhurst Recreation Complex. The Warriors also utilized eight different pitchers to limit the Golden Falcons' offense to just one run on six hits.

The Warriors improved to 5-3 overall while the Golden Falcons dropped to 2-7.

Six different Warriors collected at least one hit and three of those individuals recorded a run batted in. In his first career start, freshman Patrick Morrisey was 1-for-2, picking up his first collegiate hit and RBI in the fifth inning. Redshirt freshman Ben Piripavel went 2-for-2 with three walks, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Redshirt junior Brainy Rojas and redshirt senior Joey Paolini both finished the day 1-for-3 at the plate with an RBI.

ESU starter Tommy Dunleavy (1-0) was credited with the win after allowing one hit, while striking out two across 2.0 scoreless innings. Seven Warriors relievers combined to hold Felician to one run on six hits over the final 7.0 innings. Brett Lubreski fired 1.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts, JP Nolan recorded one out and Leon Finney pitched a scoreless fifth inning. After Scott Shamnay issued a pair of walks to open the sixth inning, Justin Guidos limited the damage to one run in his 1.0 inning of work. Jack Nielsen pitched a scoreless seventh inning despite giving up a pair of hits and Tom Reisinger worked a scoreless final two inning while allowing three hits.

The Warriors took advantage of a Felician error and were able to grab an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Dunleavy reached base on a fielding error by the third baseman and Ben Piripavel followed up with a walk. After Logan Stirr grounded into a double play, Piripavel advanced to third on a steal before Paolini doubled down the left field line to give the Warriors the lead.

ESU extended their lead to 4-0 with three runs on two hits and one Golden Falcons' error in the top of the fifth inning. Paolini led off the frame with a walk before being driven in on a double down the left field line from Morrissey. Jeremy Piatkiewicz followed with a bunt single to second base, and he moved down to second on stolen base. Rojas then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Morrisey and allow Piatkiewicz to advance to third. Carson Freeman helped push across the third run of the inning as he hit a ball to the first baseman that resulted in an error, allowing Piatkiewicz to race home.

In what looked to be like another huge inning for the Warriors, they added just one run on one hit in the top of the sixth inning to make the score 5-0. Piripavel started the inning with a walk before advancing to third on a double to left field by Stirr. Paolini then reached on a throwing error by the third baseman which allowed Piripavel to extend the Warriors' lead. With one out and runners on the corners, Piatkiewicz hit a ground ball to the first baseman, who threw home to cut off Stirr and limit the Warriors damage.

The Golden Falcons got their first run on the board in the home half of the sixth on a sacrifice fly to left field from Jaden Rivera. Shamany issued back to back walks to open the inning before being replaced by Justin Guidos, who worked a pair of groundballs and a flyout to limit Felician's damage.

In the final three innings, Felician recorded five hits but were not able to push across another run.

Felician starter Darwin Matos took the loss after allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits over five innings. Ryan Kurczeski, Kyle O'Neill and Nick Galese combined to hold the Warriors scoreless on four hits over the final 4.0 innings.

Up Next
Due to scheduling changes, the Warriors will now return to Creekview Park on Saturday as they welcome Mansfield for a doubleheader beginning at noon. ESU will travel to Mansfield on Monday, March 22, to close out the season series with another twin bill against the Mountaineers, set for 12 p.m. at Joseph Shaute Field.