SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Giovanni Ciaccio recorded the first hit of the season for the Long Island University baseball team as the Sharks took on USC Upstate in the season opener on Friday afternoon. The Spartans defeated LIU 4-0.
 
Highlights

• Ciaccio went 2-4 with two singles and a stolen base.
• Christopher Wasson notched a single in the seventh inning.
• Seth Surrett recorded the first hit of his collegiate career, singling in the sixth.
• Jackson Svete struck out three hitters in five innings of work.
• Mike Lazos threw two scoreless innings in relief.

 
How it happened
The Spartans brought home a run in the second, taking an early 1-0 lead.  Svete fanned two batters through the first two innings. After uneventful third and fourth innings, Ciaccio started the fifth with single up the middle. He stole second and the Sharks had a runner in scoring position with two away for Andy Camilo. Camilo roped a ball into the hole on the left side of the infield, making it a difficult play for the Spartan third basemen. Camilo reached on an error and Ciacco headed home on the errant throw. He was initially ruled safe, but the call was overturned after USC Upstate appealed, claiming that Ciaccio missed the third base bag. The appeal was successful and the score remained 1-0 in favor of the home team.
 
USC tacked on three more runs in the fifth and sixth innings. The Sharks threatened in seventh with back-to-back singles from Ciaccio and Wasson but could not capitalize on the opportunity. The Spartans went on to take the game 4-0.
 
Up next
LIU returns to action for game two of the series against USC Upstate. First pitch from Harley Ballpark is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.