Blandino, Severino Earn NEC Honors
Blue Devils took three from LIU and qualified for NEC Tournament
Junior Dominic Severino and freshman Matt Blandino were honored by the Northeast Conference for their performances over the weekend. Severino was named the league's Player of the Week while Blandino shared Pitcher of the Week honors.
Severino batted ..467 with six RBI in a 3-1 week for the Blue Devils that saw them clinch a spot in the NEC Tournament this season. Severino had seven hits in 15 at-bats, scored four runs and drove in six for the weekend. He began the weekend on the mound on Friday pitching eight innings while also going 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and an RBI in a 4-2 loss.
After going 1-for-3 with a run scored in a 6-0 win, Severino provided the only scoring needed in a 3-0 win in game three. A three-run first inning home run by Severino, his first of the season, capped a 1-for-3 performance with 3 RBI and a run scored in the 3-0 win. He followed that up by going 3-for-5 with a run scored, a double and two RBI in a 10-1 win in Sunday's finale. Severino's 11 total bases led the Blue Devils on the weekend.
Blandino was spectacular in the series finale for the Blue Devils on Sunday, helping Central claim a spot in the upcoming NEC Tournament. Blandino picked up his third win of the season with eight shutout innings in a 10-1 win. He allowed only three base runners in the game, including just two hits. Both hits came with no one on base and he also struck out four. He did not allow a runner to reach second base.
After retiring the first 10 batters of the game, he allowed a one out single in the fourth but immediately induced a double play to end the inning. He walked the leadoff man in the fifth but stranded him at first base. In the seventh he allowed a two out single but retired the final batter of the game. Blandino faced only 26 batters in his eight innings, and retired the side in order five times. He recorded 15 ground ball outs in the win.
