Clippers gear up for long weekend of play as they take down Pace University

Box score

The Clippers went to Pleasantville, NY to face off against the Pace University Pacesetters in a non-conference match-up.  Anthony Carnacchio started the game off with reaching first base on an error by the Pacesetters shortstop.  With a hard hit ball back to the pitcher by David Perlleshi, Carnacchio moved into scoring position.  With one out Donnie Roth was walked and the Clippers had runners on first and second.  The Clippers designated hitter TJ Walsh stepped up to the plate and nailed a double to score Carnacchio and Roth.  Difre Reyes reached first on a two out walk, while during his at bat Walsh reached third on a wild pitch.  A double to left center by Mike Sciacchitano scored Walsh and the Clippers led 3-0 after the top of the first. 

The top of the second inning the Clippers were able to add another run to the board after David Perlleshi walked and Donnie Roth hit a two out double to center field to score the run.  On the defensive of the inning Freshman Raphael Martinez was on the mound and after his one, two, three first inning was looking strong.  Martinez walked the first batter of the inning and soon their was two on base.  An unfortunate wild pitch from Martinez put runners in scoring position for the Pacesetters.  After a ground out the Pacesetters scored one and got their second run from another wild pitch.  Martinez pulled himself together and finished off the inning with two strike outs. 

The Clippers up one after two innings of play looked to continue their hitting hot streak and gain some insurance runs.  Mike Sciacchitano led the inning off with a one out single up the middle.  A single from Tommy Paradise to the left side moved Sciacchitano into scoring position.  As Luis Gonzalez was walked aboard the base were suddenly loaded for the top of the Clippers order.  Anthony Carnacchio and David Perlleshi were both hit by pitches to score Sciacchitano and Paradise and gave the Clippers the 6-3 lead. 

The Pacesetters answered back only one of the runs as Martinez continued to work well on the mound for the Clippers.  Martinez worked through innings four through six before letting the the Clippers bullpen come in to finish the game. 

At the end of six innings the Clippers were still up but the Pacesetters were just one run behind.  The Clippers went through an unfortunate hitting draught through their next couple of innings but Anthony Carnacchio was hit by another pitch to get aboard in the top of the eighth inning.  A walk by Perlleshi moved Carnacchio over to second.  Donnie Roth hit into a fielder's choice to the first baseman who could only get one out but Carnacchio moved to just 90 feet from home plate.  A single to left field scored Carnacchio and the Clippers were up 7-5. 

Keith Malanga was called to close the game out for the Clippers and with only allowing one man on base the Clippers sealed the win over the Pacesetters.

Raphael Martinez earns his second win of the season while Keith Malanga adds another save to his resume. 

Mike Sciacchitano went 3 for 5 with 1 run scored and 1 RBI while TJ Walsh went 2 for 5 with 1 run scored and 3 RBI's.

The Clippers will dive back into conference play tomorrow as they face off at Felician College at 3:30pm for a double header.