West Wyomissing, PA (May 3, 2019) - Junior John Poccia pitched six strong innings and fellow junior Austin Kroeger a scoreless three frames leading the DeSales University baseball team past Manhattanville College, 7-2, in the opening game of the MAC Freedom postseason tournament on Friday evening.

The Bulldogs advance into the winner's bracket where DSU will take on Misericordia University tomorrow morning at 11:00 am at Owls Field.

DeSales got started quickly on Friday scoring twice in the first inning on RBI ground outs from freshman Johnny Medina and senior Charlie Barebo.

DSU added one more run in the fourth before the Valiants clawed back to within one run with solo tallies in the fourth and fifth frames.

The Bulldogs reclaimed a multi-run lead with three in the sixth on a sacrifice fly from junior Michael White, a squeeze bunt from freshman Isaiah Goodman, and an RBI single from freshman Robby Lamm.  Medina added an RBI single in the ninth to provide the final tally.

Poccia allowed two runs in six innings, striking out two.  Kroeger was near perfect in three innings to earn his second save of the year allowing just three base runners and striking out five.  The win for Poccia is #9 on the season tying the single-season record held by three other pitchers.

Eight of the nine starters had hits including Lamm with two hits and two runs scored, Medina with two hits and two RBIs, Barebo with two including a double, and M. White with three and an RBI.