Box Score

IMMACULATA, Pa.- After scoring just two runs through the first four innings of their Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) series opener against Centenary (13-11, 5-8 CSAC) on Friday afternoon at the IU Baseball Field, the Immaculata offense broke out and scored 14 runs over their final four at bats to continue their torrid offensive pace and close out a 16-9 victory over the Cyclones.  The Mighty Macs (14-8) continue their historic start to the conference season as they now sit at 8-2 and have won seven straight CSAC games, and six overall.
 
The Mighty Macs had contributions from all over the lineup as 10 of the 11 hitters got hits for a total of 15 overall, and junior centerfielder Rick DiDomenico (3 RBIs, BB, SB, 2B) and junior third baseman Rob Wallace (RBI, BB) each had two hits and tied a program record by scoring four runs each.  Sophomore designated hitter Dom Ficca, who entered the game in the fifth inning, came up big with a career-high five RBIs, two doubles and a sacrifice fly.
 
Sophomore left fielder Jason McCormick (3 R, RBI, 2 BB, HBP, 3B, 2B) and freshman second baseman Pat Devenney (R, RBI, 2 2B, HBP) added two hits apiece.
 
Junior pitcher Dan Whalen (3-1) collected the 10^th win of his career after going six-plus innings, giving up seven runs and striking out five.  Relievers Collin Stringham, Kenny Anderson and Nick Campione combined to pitch the final three innings and surrender just one earned run.
 
The Mighty Macs got two runs in their half of the first right away as they loaded the bases with two outs and freshman right fielder Coleman Richards (1-for-3, 3 RBIs) delivered a two-run single to left field, but Centenary tied it in the top of the second and took the lead in the top of the fifth.
 
Heading into the bottom of the fifth, the Mighty Macs offense had been shut down the past three innings, but that all changed that inning with four runs to take the lead.  McCormick walked to lead off the inning and moved to second on an errant pick-off throw by the pitcher.  Following a strikeout, DiDomenico hit a single to left-center to score McCormick and tie the game.  DiDomenico went to second on a wild pitch and stole third before Wallace walked to put runners on the corners.  After a pitching change, Dom Ficca entered the game and delivered a double to right center field to score DiDomenico for the IU lead.  An RBI from Richards and a perfect bunt single by junior first baseman Michael Lascomb brought home the final two runs as IU had a 6-3 lead.
 
After an important, shutdown, 1-2-3 inning in the top of the sixth, the Macs piled on with five more in their half to take a commanding lead.  Devenney led off with a double and McCormick was hit to put two runners on.  Junior shortstop Ryan Ficca (1-for-6, R) then hit a single as he pulled the bat back and slapped a bunt attempt to load the bases with nobody out.  DiDomenico delivered a critical blow with a two-run double to right center and Wallace followed with an RBI single through the left side for a 9-3 lead.  A sacrifice fly by Dom Ficca and an RBI single through the right side by junior right fielder Chuck Wyckoff extended the lead to 11-3.
 
Centenary didn't roll over as they chased Whalen and put together a five-run seventh inning to cut the gap to 11-8, but the Mighty Macs responded yet again, this time with another four-run inning.
 
Devenney delivered an RBI double with nobody out, and then Dom Ficca hit a three-run, two-out double to push the lead back to 15-8.
 
The Cyclones got one in the eighth, but McCormick collected an RBI to put it at 16-9 before Campione closed out the win.
 
The Mighty Macs will now look to win the series and potentially sweep the Cyclones tomorrow afternoon at 12 p.m. when they go on the road for a doubleheader.
 
NOTES: Wallace needs just one more hit to become the fifth player in program history to reach 100 hits … Today's game was the 100^th CSAC game in program history and the Mighty Macs are exactly 50-50 … Whalen is now tied for second in program history in wins with 10 … IU is averaging 12.0 runs and 12.3 hits per game over their six-game winning streak.