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| Joey Pagano homered in Friday's season opener loss. | PHOTO: Leah Catlym, SJU Athletics |
Saint Joseph’s showed both its punch and its inexperience Friday afternoon.
The Hawks erased a seven-run deficit with a two-out rally in the sixth inning but could not hold the momentum, falling to High Point, 15-7, in the season opener for both teams at Williard Stadium in High Point, N.C.
For Saint Joseph’s (0-1), the loss revealed a lineup capable of quick-strike offense and a pitching staff still sorting itself out in February. The Hawks scored six runs with two outs in the sixth to tie the game at 7-7, only to see High Point respond with three unearned runs in the bottom half and five more in the seventh to pull away.
After High Point (1-0) struck for three runs in the first and four more in the third, the Hawks chipped away.
Sophomore catcher Blake Primrose ignited the comeback in the fifth with a leadoff single. He advanced on a passed ball and a groundout before sophomore infielder Eric Cross delivered an RBI single to put Saint Joseph’s on the board.
The breakthrough came an inning later.
With Joey Gale at third, senior outfielder Joey Pagano launched the Hawks’ first home run of the season, trimming the deficit to four. Primrose followed with a walk, and redshirt sophomore Jason Janesko beat out an infield single. Graduate infielder Richard Beggy then lined an RBI single to make it 7-4.
Cross drew a walk to load the bases, setting the stage for sophomore infielder Alex Venezia. In his first game in a Hawk uniform, the Pittsburgh native ripped a bases-clearing double to left-center, tying the game at 7-7 and capping a six-run outburst that showcased the depth of Saint Joseph’s lineup.
The momentum, however, proved fleeting.
High Point answered immediately in the bottom of the sixth, capitalizing on defensive miscues. Three unearned runs crossed the plate as the Panthers regained control. They added five more in the seventh to create separation.
Pagano finished with a multi-hit performance and drove in two runs. Venezia went 1 for 4 with three RBIs, while Beggy, Janesko and Venezia each recorded their first hits in a Saint Joseph’s uniform. Primrose reached base three times, scored twice and helped spark the middle-inning surge.
On the mound, junior right-hander Duke McCarron drew the Opening Day start and allowed seven runs over 2 1/3 innings. Senior right-hander Christian Coppola provided a bright spot out of the bullpen, striking out seven over 3 2/3 innings and keeping the Hawks within striking distance during their rally.
Jackson Campbell was charged with five runs, four unearned, in one inning and took the loss. Freshman right-hander Peter Bashore and freshman infielder Augie Maslo were among those making their collegiate debuts.
In total, Saint Joseph’s collected seven hits and drew seven walks but committed four errors, with High Point scoring eight unearned runs.
The opener offered a snapshot of a roster blending experienced returners with newcomers. Pagano, Primrose and Gale anchor a veteran core, while transfers such as Beggy and Janesko and freshmen including Bashore and Maslo begin carving out roles.
The Hawks and Panthers are scheduled to conclude the series with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon, as Saint Joseph’s looks to clean up the defensive lapses and build on the offensive spark that briefly brought its season opener back to even.
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