Binghamton snaps early deadlock to pull away and top Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart dropped a 25-9 decision to Binghamton on Friday. (Photo courtesy Sacred Heart University Sports Information)

BINGHAMTON, N.Y., December 20, 2019 – The Binghamton University wrestling team won four straight decisions to snap a tie and pull away from Sacred Heart in a 25-9 win in Eastern Interscholastic Wrestling Action on Friday.

Tied at 6-6 after four matches, Binghamton (2-1) won four in a row to take control. Christopher Barker (149) got a quick 2-0 lead on Sacred Heart’s TJ Calas and controlled the match in a 6-1 decision. At 154, Binghamton’s Aidan Monteverdi set the tone with a pair of first period takedowns in a 9-4 win over Sacred Heart’s Brandon Levesque.

At 165 following a scoreless first period, Binghamton’s Alex Melikian used a quick escape and a takedown to vault ahead of Sacred Heat’s Joe Accousti (Newtown) and held on for a 3-2 decision. Binghamton clinched the bout when No. 6-ranked Lou DePrez (184) picked up a forfeit for a commanding 21-6 lead.

Binghamton has now won eight straight over Sacred Heart and holds a 10-5 lead in the series that began in 2000.

Binghamton’s Carson Sauriol outlasted Sacred Heart’s Sean Faraon, 5-3, for his first collegiate win in the meet’s opening bout at 125 pounds. An early takedown helped Sauriol built a 4-0 lead and hold off a late rally from Faraon.

Sacred Heart (1-2) tied the match at 3-3 with sophomore Anthony Petrillo (133) beating Binghamton’s Tomasso Freeza, 6-2.

The Bearcats took a 6-3 lead when Binghamton’s Anthony Sparacio (141) erasing an early 2-0 deficit to earn a hard-fought 5-4 win over Sacred Heart’s Gerard Daly. The Pioneers tied the bout at 6-6 when junior Nick Palumbo (149) outlasted Matt Swanson, 6-4.

Sacred Heart returns to action on Saturday, January 4 when they travel to the David Lehman Open in Lancaster, Pa. The Pioneers return home on Sunday, January 12 when they host VMI at 2:30 p.m.

Binghamton 25, Sacred Heart 9
At Binghamton, N.Y.
125: Carson Sauriol (B) dec. Sean Faraon, 5-3; 133: Anthony Petrillo (SH) dec. Tomasso Frezza, 6-2; 141: Anthony Sparacio (B) dec. Gerard Daly, 5-4; 149: Nick Palumbo (SH) dec. Matt Swanson, 6-4; 157: Christopher Barker (B) dec. T.J. Calas, 6-1; 165: Aidan Monteverdi (B) dec. Brandon Levesque, 9-4; 174: Alex Melikian (B) dec. Joe Accousti, 3-2; 184: No. 6 Lou DePrez (B) forfeit; 197: Robert Hetherman (SH) dec. Nunzio Crowley, 3-1; 285: Joe Doyle (B) dec. Connor Fredericks, 16-5
Record: Binghamton 2-1; Sacred Heart 1-2, 0-1 EIWA