March 25, 2009

Box Score

Garden City, NY - The Adelphi baseball team played host to the Knights of Queens College this afternoon in an East Coast Conference match-up at William J. Bonomo Memorial Field. The Brown and Gold racked up 12 hits in the 7-1 win over the visiting Knights and improved their record to 7-5, 1-0 ECC.

The Knights had first licks as they jumped out to an early lead on three hits in the first inning. Noel Gerena drove in Carlos Suarez for the first run of the game. As Queens left two on base, the Panthers got up to bat and responded quickly with a lead off single by Rob Paccione, who stole second. A single by Thomas Harper who batted in the number two slot followed. They advanced to third and second respectively on a past ball. Ryan Boelson, on a shot to center field, drove both his teammates home for a 2-1 lead. The Panthers continued a strong first on a Bill Melillo single, followed up by two stolen bases by the clean-up hitter. A double by Chris Weidlein drove Melillo home for a 3-1 lead.

The score was knotted at 3-1 through the top of the fourth as both teams had men in scoring position but could not drive them home. In the bottom of the fourth, two consecutive hits with Mike Colonna and Paccione sparked a scoring opportunity. Harper laid down a bunt, was safe at first and scored Colonna on a throwing error by Knight pitcher, William Marte to the catcher in an attempt to stop the run. The Panthers would head into the top of the fifth with a 4-1 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, Queens swapped their starting pitcher for Arak Abrams who gave up a triple to center to Paccione who was batted in by Harper for his second RBI of the game. Harper stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Boelson flied out but Melillo and Weidlein both walked to load the bases. Matt Kenny hit a long single to center which scored two and advanced Weidlein to second. The Panthers would end the inning there up 7-1.

Queens, in the top of the seventh, put two men on and in scoring position early, but Panther pitcher, Mike Bartlett got out of the jam by striking out the last three batters to keep his team's lead at 7-1.

The Diamondmen will be back on tap when they host Caldwell College, on March 26, at 3:30 p.m.