Wayne, N.J. – The Golden Eagles (5-10) got a spectacular pitching performance from Dan Diblasi (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) in their 2-0 win over the William Patterson Pioneers (5-8) on Tuesday afternoon.
The Eagles lone runs on the day came in the first inning. Anthony Bonilla (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Farmingdale) led off the game with a single for the Golden Eagles and with two outs the bases were loaded with James Terry (East Meadow, N.Y./Kellenberg) at the plate. Terry singled to left field, driving in two runs. Bonilla also led off the fifth inning with a base hit but was caught stealing. Terry and Brian Godoy (Coral Springs, Fla./Coral Springs) both got on base with two-out singles in the sixth inning but Matt Leach (Rockville Center, N.Y./Southside) struck out to end the inning. William Patterson got the leadoff hitter on base in the sixth and seventh innings but the defense behind Diblasi continued to support him as two beautifully turned double-plays by Joe Liberatore (Blue Point, N.Y./Bayport-Blue Point) and Anthony Andreani (Whitestone, N.Y./Holy Cross) took away the threats.
The Pioneers refused to go away quietly and in the eighth inning they got two runners on with just one away, but Diblasi got another ground ball and Liberatore and Andreani were at it again, turning a double-play for the third consecutive inning - this time to retire the side.
The Eagles loaded the bases in the top half of the ninth but couldn't muster an insurance run. Diblasi appeared to be cruising to a victory after he retired the first two batters of the inning, but he walked the third batter and surrendered a single to the next. Steven Szobesky (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) came onto relieve Diblasi and to try to shut the door for the Eagles. A wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position, and more importantly, the tying run to second, but Szobesky struck out the batter for the final out and the save.
Bonilla went 2-for-4 with a walk and Terry finished 3-for-4 with 2 RBI. Diblasi nearly went the distance, pitching 8 2/3, surrendering nine hits and zero runs.
The Eagles host Merchant Marine this Thursday at 6:15 p.m.
