Pleasantville, N.Y. - Despite cutting the hosts' lead to just one run in the final inning, the Adelphi University baseball team lost its Southwest Division opener against Pace University, 6-5 on Wednesday in the Northeast-10 contest.
The Panthers (8-8-1, 1-2 NE10) got on the board early, scoring one run out of the first half inning, but trailed 6-1 after seven completed innings. Adelphi tacked on three runs in the top of the eighth as its comeback began, as Thomas Colombo and Brett Malm laced two-out singles. With Camden Orologio pinch running for Colombo and Brandon Morse at bat, an error by the shortstop drove home the pinch runner, adding one to Adelphi's score.
In the next at-bat, Lucas Terwilliger cashed in two RBIs with a single to left field, decreasing the Panther deficit to two runs at 6-4. Adelphi cut the Setters' lead to one in the top of the ninth after Withers reached home on an error by the pitcher, however the Brown and Gold were unable to take advantage of a bases-loaded, one-out situation to complete the comeback.
In total, Adelphi scored three runs on Pace errors in the game, beginning in the first as Steven Withers reached on an error by the third baseman, and following a single from Tyler Becker, took advantage of another error to score Adelphi's first run from second base.
However, the Setters (8-6-1, 3-2 NE10) tied the game in their half off a single to center field by Michael Gulino, driving home Ryan Crowley from third. Two batters later, another single, this time by Matt Almonte, allowed Paul Piccolino to cross home plate for Pace, and the home team held the lead after one.
Both teams remained scoreless for three more innings, until the Setters added another run to the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth. Gulino tacked on his second RBI off a single to center field putting Pace up 3-1. The home team put up a three-spot in the bottom of the seventh against the Panther bullpen on a bases-loaded walk and a two-run double for Alex Pia which increased the lead to 6-1.
Terwilliger and Becker each notched a pair of hits for the Brown and Gold, going 2-for-4 and 2-for-5 against the home team's pitchers, as the former had two RBIs.
The Panthers return to William J. Bonomo Field on Friday in a single game against Le Moyne College, the first of three for the weekend. The game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in Garden City.
About Adelphi Athletics
Adelphi University joined the Northeast-10 Conference in the fall of 2009, and in the past eight seasons, has collected 26 regular season conference titles, 28 tournament championships, 37 individual crowns and captured the Northeast-10 Presidents' Cup four times (2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017), while winning six NCAA Division II National Championships.
For the latest on Adelphi University Athletics, follow the Panthers at www.aupanthers.com or via social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Snapchat.
