May 17, 2007

Box Score

Rindge, NH - Sophomore Billy Melillo single to right field, scoring Mike Colonna and breaking a 4-4 tie to give the Panthers a 5-4 lead, which junior Mike McLasky was able to convert into a win over #5 Bryant. The victory is Adelphi's first NCAA victory since 1999 and improves the Panthers overall record to 34-15.

The second seeded Panthers and Bryant played scoreless baseball for the first two innings, when Adelphi took a one run lead in the third on a solo home run to right field by Ralph Tropiano. Adelphi added three more runs in the third, getting one run across the plate on a Tropiano single and two more across on a double by Rob DeGennaro.

Sophomore Bobby Lanigan was almost untouchable through five innings, giving up just three hits in the first five innings. However, Lanigan hit a rough spot in the sixth when the Bulldogs took advantage of three Adelphi errors to put four runs on the board, knotting the game.

The Panthers loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth but could not bring anyone home, entering the seventh stilled tied. In the top of the seventh Lanigan gave up a lead-off double but set the rest of the Bryant line-up down in order, setting the stage for Melillo's go ahead run.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh Colonna singled up the middle, followed by a Mike Testani single that moved Colonna to third. Melillo's single to right brought home Colonna, giving Adelphi a 5-4 lead.

In the top of the eighth the Panthers brought McLasky in to close out the game. McLasky gave up just one hit in two innings of relief work, picking up his third save of the season and securing the victory for Adelphi.

Lanigan picked up the win, his seventh, after throwing seven innings, allowing eight hits, striking out 11 and walking one.

Tropiano (2-4) and DeGennaro (1-4) both drove in two runs, while Tropiano added a run scored. Melillo also drove in a run and was 1-4 at the plate.

The Panthers will return to action at 6:00 pm on Friday May 18, when they take on the winner of the UMass-Lowell, Caldwell match-up in the second round.