May 15, 2009

Box Score

Rindge, NH - Keith Couch in his first NCAA tournament appearance, tosses a polished gem against the Golden Lions of Dowling College, stunning the East Coast Conference rival 8-1. Couch, 9-1 overall, went the full nine innings against the Golden Lions in the victory and the Panthers improved their record to 32-15 with the win, while Dowling drops to 30-16.

Adelphi posted one run in the first inning on a Bill Melillo RBI double to left center driving Thomas Harper, however, the real action of the game got way in the second inning. The Panthers posted six runs on four hits, forcing Dowling to pull their starting pitcher, Gabriel Duran. Anthony Anzalone began things with a single to left field and then advanced to second on a balk. Mike Colonna added to the action with a double to left field, Anzalone advancing to third. Craig Matteo then singled to right field, scoring Anzalone. Robert Paccione drew an intentional walk and Harper followed with a walk of his own, forcing a run across the plate, 3-0. The senior Ryan Boelsen took the plate next, and with bases loaded knocked in two on a single through the right side. Melillo was intentionally walked next and Chris Weidlein drove in Harper on an RBI SAC fly, 6-0. The last run of the inning would come via a throwing error by the catcher, scoring Boelsen and taking a 7-0 lead.

The game would remain scoreless until the top of the sixth when the Golden Lions first got on the board with a triple/throwing error. Adelphi added one more in the eighth on a Harper SAC fly, which drove in Matteo, 8-1.

In his nine innings of work, Couch was charged with one run, striking out 10, including striking out the side in the fifth.

The Panthers will continue their post season action at 7:00 p.m. on May 15, against the Greyhounds of Assumption College in the winners bracket. Franklin Pierce will continue their live webstreaming of the game at their website http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu.