Pace's Dan Wirchansky threw a perfect game with 16 strikeouts on Sunday.
PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – In a season-opening doubleheader that will be remembered for a long time, the Pace baseball team nabbed a pair of wins from Dominican College on Sunday afternoon at Finnerty Field. The sweep, however, was just part of the story as junior Dan Wirchansky began the Setters' new year by throwing a nine-inning perfect game.
Wirchansky retired all 27 batters he faced and, at one point, struck out seven straight Chargers en route to finishing the day with a career-high 16 strikeouts. He struck out the side in both third and fourth innings as Pace clung to a 2-0 lead. His other 11 outs consisted of seven pop/fly-outs and four ground outs.
BREAKING: @PaceUBaseball’s Dan Wirchansky just tossed a PERFECT Game in an 8-0 win over Dominican! Struck out 16! pic.twitter.com/0EZIawg1bx
— Pace Athletics (@PaceUAthletics) March 4, 2018
Game 1 recap - Pace 8, Dominican 0
In addition to the stellar defense and pitching, the Setters' offense racked up 15 hits in a nice effort of their own in Game 1. Pace had five players tally at least two hits, including a pair of 3-for-4 efforts from Felix Camacho, Michael Salmonese and Matthew Kurdewan each knocked in a pair to lead six different run-producers.
Ryan Crowley put Pace on the board with an RBI double in the second inning, scoring freshman Matt Bass. Gulino followed with a sac fly in the third to put Pace up 2-0.
from the stands...dogpile on ! pic.twitter.com/XESSXvYQgP
— Pace Athletics (@PaceUAthletics) March 4, 2018
The Setters blew the game open in the seventh, fueled by RBI knocks from Gulino, Camacho, Kurdewan and Bass. Kurdewan's two-out triple to left-center put Pace up 6-0 while Bass capped off the frame with an RBI single up the middle.
Game 2 recap (Seven Innings) - Pace 4, Dominican 2
The Setters' momentum from Game 1 helped them complete the afternoon sweep with a 4-2 win. Pace got off to a quick lead in the first off an RBI fielder's choice from Gulino. Paul Piccolino scored on the play after leading off with a triple to right-center.
Piccolino struck again in the third inning, hammering the Setters first home run of the season. Piccolino's second-career long ball provided a 3-1 lead.
After Dominican cut the edge to just one in the fourth, the Setters added one more insurance run off some smart base running from Michael Barbato. Barbato sprinted home from second base off an errant throw on a sacrifice bunt attempt from Bass.
Kevin Wiltse earned the win in Game 2, improving his career record to 4-0 as a Setter. Seniors Ryan Aquino and Jake Amoroso also saw action on the mound, combining for 3.1 scoreless innings.
Up next
Pace takes on NYIT for a mid-week home-and-home. The Setters head to Old Westbury on Wednesday afternoon before hosting the Bears on Thursday.
