MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Felician University surrendered six runs in the top of the seventh inning of its 9-5 non-conference baseball loss to LIU Post during the Northeast Challenge event on Friday evening at the Ripken Experience complex.

Junior shortstop Bruce Strickland (Hazlet, N.J.) went 2 for 4 for Felician (1-1).

The Golden Falcons, the designated home team, built a 5-1 lead through six innings. Mike Martone (Brick, N.J.) snapped a 1-1 tie in the fourth when his sacrifice fly plated Matt Kleinstein (Marlboro, N.J.), who had led off with a double. Jason Polgano (Bronx, N.Y.) lifted another sacrifice fly in the fifth, and Felician added two in the sixth on run-scoring singles by starting pitcher Brennan Price (Middlesex, N.J.) and Strickland.

Price was lifted after the sixth, having allowed one run on three hits with two strikeouts and one walk.  He settled for a no-decision, however, when LIU Post immediately pounced on the Felician bullpen in the seventh. The Pioneers put their first five men on base, scoring on a Rob Andreoli (North Wantagh, N.Y.) single and a balk. One out later, sophomore catcher Anthony Vaglica (Franklin Square, N.Y.) blasted a grand slam home run off the left-field scoreboard to put LIU Post ahead for good.

The Pioneers' Robert Paccione (Commack, N.Y.) pitched three innings of shutout, one-hit relief to earn a save, and LIU Post plated two runs in the top of the ninth for the final margin. Winning pitcher James Varela (Levittown, N.Y.) gave up three runs on three hits over five innings.

Vaglica and Andreoli picked up two hits apiece for the Pioneers (3-3).