BROOKHAVEN, N.Y.  (May 11, 2008) - C.W. Post defeated the University of New Haven, 5-1, to win its first-ever East Coast Conference Baseball Championship title and advance to its first NCAA Northeast Regional since 1985. 

With the win, the Pioneers improve their season record to 29-25 while New Haven drops to 24-25.

Junior catcher Brian Anderson (Nesconset, N.Y.), who tallied eight hits and four RBI in the tournament was named the Most Valuable Player.
The Pioneers scored first in the top of the second when junior right fielder Bruce Testa (Glen Cove, N.Y.) laced a single down the right field line to score senior left fielder Brian Chenicek (Levittown, N.Y.). 

New Haven tied things up in the third when junior starter Keith Karlsen (Farmingdale, N.Y.) was charged with a bases-loaded balk.

C.W. Post got the run back in the sixth inning when senior first baseman Tim Sylvester (Farmingdale, N.Y.) singled through the left side to score Chenicek from third. The Pioneers tacked on three insurance runs in the top of the eighth that was highlighted by a two-run single up the middle by junior first baseman Anthony Montesano (Bellmore, N.Y.). The third run was scored on an error by the right fielder that allowed senior third baseman Steve Algarroba (Astoria, N.Y.) to score.

Karlsen pitched five complete innings and allowed one run on seven hits while striking out four and walking two. Junior Bobby Kay (Stony Brook, N.Y.) pitched the last four innings and allowed just two hits while striking out four and walking one batter.
Testa led the Pioneers with three hits with an RBI and a run scored while Chenicek had one hit and two runs scored.

Freshman Mike Aquilino took the loss for the Chargers, pitching five and a third innings and allowing two earned runs on seven hits while striking out two and walking three.

ECC Baseball Updated Championship Schedule

Wednesday, May 7 (single elimination)
(6) Adelphi 3 at (3) Dowling 0
(5) Molloy 6 at (4) C.W. Post 10

Saturday, May 10 (double elimination)
Game 1 - (2) New Haven 4, (6) Adelphi 1
Game 2 - (4) C.W. Post 9, (1) St. Thomas Aquinas 4
Game 3 - (4) C.W. Post 5, (2) New Haven 1
Game 4 - (6) Adelphi 3, (1) St. Thomas Aquinas 1 (STAC eliminated)

Sunday, May 11 - All games at Dowling
Game 5 - (2) New Haven 6 vs. (6) Adelphi 5 (Adelphi eliminated)
Game 6 - (4) C.W. Post 5 vs.  (2) New Haven 1 (New Haven eliminated)