May 7, 2006

Box Score

Garden City, N.Y. - Adelphi took advantage of two Dowling errors to move out to an early, 3-0, lead and never trailed, picking up an 11-6 win. With the victory the Panthers end the regular season with a mark of 20-22 overall and 16-11 in the conference, while the Golden Lions fall to 28-13 overall and 20-7 in the NYCAC.

Adelphi jumped on Dowling early, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Stephen Malvagna (East Meadow, N.Y.) ground out to short, scoring Thomas Cali (Shirley, N.Y.). Pat O'Neill (Oakville, CT) followed that up with an infield hit that was misplayed by Dowling's third baseman, allowing Brian Rath (Wantagh, N.Y.) to come home, then a Mike Colonna (Staten Island, N.Y.) single drove in a another run, giving the Panthers a 3-0 lead after one inning.

Nick Testani (Williston Park, N.Y.) and Colonna each drove in runs in the bottom of the third, pushing Adelphi's lead to, 5-0. The Golden Lions rallied in the top of the fourth, using a RBI double and a RBI single to cut the Panther lead to just three runs, 5-2.

However, Adelphi's bats came alive again in the bottom of the fifth, scoring four more runs, including three on a Cali triple to take a commanding, 9-2 edge on their way to an 11-6 win.

Bill Melillo (Glenwood Landings, N.Y.) pitched five innings, striking out three to pick up the win, while Dave Salemi (Wheatley Heights, N.Y.) threw three innings of one run relief to collect the save.

Adelphi returns to action on Wednesday, May 10, when they host fifth seeded St. Thomas Aquinas in the first round of the NYCAC Tournament.