Box Score Box Score

Boca Raton, Fla. – The Adelphi University baseball team could not overcome a five-run first inning deficit as #9 Lynn University handed the Panthers a 9-4 loss at McCusker Sportsplex on Monday. Adelphi, now 5-2 on the season, used bursts of offense to hang with the nationally-ranked Fighting Knights but could not outrun the Lynn bats that pounded out 16 hits on the day.
 
For Adelphi, junior Anthony Zarrella smacked a double and a solo home run, drove in two runs and scored twice. Junior Jimmy Milani suffered the loss on the mound in two-plus innings, while senior Chris Murphy and freshman Nikolas Batas combined to throw two innings of scoreless relief.
 
For Lynn, Mike Diorio went 4-5 with two runs scored, and Cory Elasik mashed three hits including a homer and four RBI. Jason Whalen threw five innings to earn the win on the hill, allowing a run on four hits.

The Fighting Knights batted around in the first inning, striking for five runs on five hits and taking advantage of an Adelphi error as Elasik swiped second base after plating the first two Lynn runs with a single to right field. Three consecutive singles added three more Lynn runs, putting the Panthers in an early 5-0 hole.
 
The Panthers continued to make solid contact in the second, but flashy defense by the Fighting Knights retired Adelphi in order. The inning was highlighted by a spectacular play by Diorio who rushed to his backhand side to snag a would-be Tyler Barrett single up the middle and flipped to Kyle Redzewski, who threw out Barrett on the run to end the inning.
 
Lynn struck for another run in the third, chasing Milani from the game, but junior Jeff Andersen came on in relief and coaxed two lazy fly balls to left to end the threat. Zarrella responded by putting the Panthers on the board with a lined shot home run to right center field, by the Fighting Knights answered right back with a two-run fourth inning to make it 8-1.
 
A two-run fourth extended Lynn's lead, but Zarrella's big bat came through again in Adelphi's half of the sixth, knocking an RBI double to the center field wall to plate senior Craig Matteo. Mejia followed promptly with a line drive up the middle, bringing Zarrella home from second and making the score 8-3. Not to be outdone, Elasik clubbed a solo homer into the trees in straightaway left give Lynn a 9-3 advantage.
 
Adelphi bagged another run in the seventh after senior Lucas Romeo singled and pinch runner Donato Signore scored after a groundout and a pair of wild pitches. Lynn looked to preserve the trend of answering every Panther run, but senior Chris Murphy pitched out of trouble and escaped a bases-loaded jam unscathed in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Lynn's bullpen would silence Adelphi the rest of the way, however, and the Fighting Knights walked away with a 9-4 victory to improve to 13-7.
 
The Panthers return to action tomorrow when they travel to Barry University for a 6 p.m. contest. For Live Stats and streaming audio play-by-play, visit http://www.barry.edu/athletics/baseball/schedule-and-results/.