ALBANY – The College of Saint Rose baseball team commenced its 2010 Northeast-10 Conference slate by splitting a league twin-bill versus Saint Anselm College this afternoon in the debut of Bob Bellizzi Field at the Plumeri Sports Complex. The Golden Knights (5-12/1-1 NE-10) had a two-out rally come up short in a 2-1 setback in game one, but bounced back with early run support to take game two 6-4.

Today was furthermore an historic day for the College. After years of using various local facilities, its own home baseball field was unveiled in the name of legendary Hall of Fame coach Bob Bellizzi. Bellizzi won nearly 800 games in 28 years at the helm of the Golden Knights.

Senior southpaw Donald Potter had a solid pitching performance spoiled in the opener. Potter fanned nine batters, walked one and allowed only three hits in 7.1 innings of work although he was credited with the hard-luck loss.

The Golden Knights trailed 2-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth. Freshman Scott Hladik was called upon to pinch hit and worked a two-out walk. After advancing to second on a passed ball, Hladik came around to score on a single through the right side by senior center fielder Ryan Price. It was all the offense Saint Rose could muster, however, as Saint Anselm sophomore lefty John Healy induced a pop-up to end the game.

Healy kept the Golden Knights' at bay throughout the afternoon. Healy scattered six hits, all singles, and fanned six batters over the distance for the Hawks (3-11/1-3 NE-10). He furthermore tossed eight scoreless innings and stranded eight Saint Rose runners.

Price was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate to lead the Golden Knights. Junior third baseman Ryan Burke and junior right fielder Garret Keenan also recorded base hits.

The Saint Rose offense came alive early in game two. Sophomore second baseman Michael Carbone and senior shortstop Zachary Halloran were both hit by a pitch in the bottom of the first. They eventually crossed the plate on a throwing error and a ground out that gave the Golden Knights an early 2-0 lead.

In the second, junior first baseman Grant Smith and senior designated hitter John Cole belted back-to-back singles to get Saint Rose started again. Smith then scored on a successful double-steal attempt that provided a 3-0 cushion.

After the Golden Knights tacked on two more in the sixth for a 5-0 edge, the Hawks responded with four in the seventh to make things interesting. Freshman shortstop Richie Manzi capped things with a two-run single as Saint Anselm registered four base hits in the frame.

Saint Rose added some insurance thanks to senior catcher Derek Marshall. Marshall laced an RBI double down the left field line that brought home Carbone, who led things off with a single.

Senior southpaw Jake Kozar went 6.2 strong innings for the Golden Knights to improve to 2-1 on the hump. Junior right-hander Tom Wiener tossed 2.0 innings of no-hit ball to earn his first career save.

Cole led the Saint Rose attack behind a 4-for-4 effort. Marshall went 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run, while Carbone finished 1-for-3 and scored twice. Manzi paced the Hawks with three hits.

Saint Rose wastes no time returning to the diamond with another league doubleheader scheduled for noon tomorrow. The Golden Knights are set to welcome the University of New Haven to Bob Bellizzi Field. Saint Anselm is idle until Tuesday afternoon when the Hawks host Franklin Pierce University for a 3:30 pm NE-10 affair in Manchester, NH. 

Box Score - Game 1

Box Score - Game 2