PURCHASE, N.Y.- Freshman Dennis Berardi (Brewster, N.Y./Kennedy Catholic) and junior Julian Ponce (Port Chester, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac) only allowed four total hits against Eastern Connecticut State on Thursday afternoon, helping the Valiants take down the Warriors by a final score of 4-1 in non-conference play.
 
Berardi made the start on the mound for the Valiants, picking up his first collegiate win for Manhattanville (11-10), tossing 5 2/3 innings, giving up only one run on one hit to Eastern Connecticut (7-8). Ponce entered in the sixth, pitching 3 1/3 shutout innings, allowing three hits before picking up the save. Despite only allowing one hit through nearly six innings, Berardi walked six batters while striking out six as Ponce struck out four Warriors himself.
 
At the plate, sophomores John Delahanty (Mahopac, N.Y./Mahopac) and Joe Anselmi (North Rockland, N.Y./North Rockland) each tallied three hits and a run to help guide the Valiants past the Warriors. Eastern Connecticut was able to get runners on base, but the Warriors failed to drive those runners in because of the Valiants stellar defense in the field.
 
The Warriors scored the first run of the game in the first inning after drawing two walks and a hit-by-pitch, leading to a sacrifice fly from Andrew Scully. The Valiants answered in the first inning, tying the game at one as junior Jake McGrath (Pound Ridge, N.Y./Fox Lane) connected on a single through the left side to score Delahanty. Manhattanville was held scoreless in the second, but eventually took the lead in the third when it was sophomore Robbie Lynch (Bronx, N.Y./Fordham Prep) belting a solo home run to left field, making it 2-1 in favor of the Valiants.
 
With the exceptional pitching effort from Berardi, the Valiants kept their 2-1 lead in tact into the sixth inning, scoring two more runs coming off an RBI single from senior Nick Euvino (Bronx, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac) followed by a sacrifice fly from classmate Jeff Moskowitz (Succasunna, N.J./Roxbury). Ponce was able to pick up where Berardi left off, mowing down Eastern Connecticut for the remainder of the contest. Ponce eventually picked up his first save of the season while also helping Berardi earn his first collegiate win, leading the Valiants past the Warriors by a final score of 4-1.
 
The Valiants will travel to Wilkes University tomorrow for a pivotal Freedom Conference matchup starting at 3:30 p.m. Live stats are available via GoValiants.com.