NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — D'Youville opened its home schedule on Friday at Sal Maglie Stadium, splitting an East Coast Conference doubleheader with Mercy by dropping the opener 7-2 before bouncing back with a 4-2 victory in game two..
In game one, starting pitcher Ty Graczyk went five innings on the mound, allowing four earned runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking three across 99 pitches. Sean Glinski was a bright spot out of the bullpen, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing no hits and striking out two to keep the Saints within reach late.
Mercy broke through in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by John Nisco before adding another run in the fourth on an RBI single from Kolongi Goins to take a 2-0 lead.
The Mavericks extended their advantage in the fifth when Anthony Altobelli delivered a two-RBI double following a Geneo Savoca triple, pushing the lead to 4-0. Mercy added three more runs in the sixth, highlighted by Dylan Koch's RBI triple and an RBI single from Savoca.
D'Youville rallied in the ninth inning to avoid the shutout. Colby Wilson reached base and later scored on a fielder's choice by Jake Ferris, while Blaise Kolbert crossed the plate on a wild pitch to cap the scoring at 7-2.
Wilson finished the game with a hit, a run scored, and two walks, reaching base three times. Kolbert added a hit, a run, and a walk in the effort.
The Saints responded in the second game behind a strong start from Jakob Denall and a key offensive surge in the fourth inning. Denall delivered six solid innings to earn his first win of the season, allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out five and walking one. Mihir Manerikar closed the door in the seventh with a perfect inning to secure his third save of the season.
The Saints broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning. Blaise Kolbert singled and eventually came around to score after Michael Huff was hit by a pitch. Billy Morris and Colby Wilson each drove in runs during the frame as D'Youville built a 3-0 lead.
D'Youville added another run in the fifth when Aiden Whitehead singled, advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt, and scored on a single to center from Cooper Cefaratti. Mercy trimmed the deficit in the sixth inning with two runs, but the Saints defense and bullpen held firm. Manerikar retired the Mavericks in order in the seventh to seal the 4-2 win and earn the split.
Whitehead and Kolbert led the Saints offense with two hits apiece, while Morris contributed a double and a walk.
D'Youville now stands at 9-15 overall and 4-6 in ECC play.
Up next, the Saints continue the series against Mercy with a nine-inning game on Saturday at Sal Maglie Stadium.
