May 17, 2009

Box Score

Rindge, N.H. - The Panthers continued their post season play at host Franklin Pierce College today in Rindge, N.H. against ECC rivals, Dowling College. Two runs in both the second and the fifth by the Golden Lions was enough to silence the Panthers to force a second game. With the loss, Adelphi stands at 34-15, while Dowling advances to 33-16.

The game got underway and was fairly silent through the first inning with each team having quick at bats. However, Dowling struck first in the bottom of the second on a single by Matt Monastero followed by a walk by Joe Trainor. Two batters and two hits later, both players would score to put the Golden Lions on the board first. Frank Inagliata grounded into a double play to end the inning.

In the midst of a pitcher's duel, the Panthers managed to get off just two hits through five innings of work. The bottom of the fifth was where Dowling began to separate themselves from their counterparts. A three-hit inning, coupled with two errors resulted in another two runs. With three left on base, the Panthers stopped the bleeding, but the damage was done.

Despite six hits on the day, half of which came from senior Bill Melillo, Adelphi couldn't seem to come through in the clutch. The 4-0 loss snaps a nine game winning streak. The Panthers are not done yet as they will face Dowling for the ninth time this season in a do-or-die situation as the loser will head home while the winner will earn a trip to the College World Series. The evenly matched teams have split the series 4-4 this year and got underway at 5:30 pm.