Springfield, Mass. - The Adelphi University baseball team came away with a split to open up a four-game weekend set with NE10 rival American International College on Saturday at Richard F. Bedard Field.

Game 1; Adelphi 7, AIC 8
It appeared the Panthers were well on their way in the opener, after three homers in the first three innings helped stake the visitors to a commanding 7-0 lead.

Matt Alifano led off the game with a solo shot -- his third four-base hit in the last two games -- and Michael Draskin went deep twice, in the first and third innings.

AIC slowly climbed back into it though and mustered an improbable comeback.

In the sixth, AIC -- trailing 7-3 at the time -- threaded six consecutive two-out hits to pull the game even.

Two innings later, the tables officially turned. A misplayed ball by Alifano put the leadoff hitter on for the Yellow Jackets. That error proved pivotal, as a two-out RBI single knocked him in for the deciding run.

Adelphi had its chance in the ninth. A two-out error by AIC kept the Panthers alive and loaded the bases with two outs for Draskin, who ultimately grounded into a fielder's choice that ended the game.

Game 2: Adelphi 6, AIC 2
Much like the opener, Adelphi put on another home run derby in the nightcap, with four Panthers blasting roundtrippers.

Tied 1-1 almost midway through the contest, Tim Feliz led off the fourth with a single, before Jack Ryan drove an 0-1 pitch out to left-center for a go-ahead two-run homer,

In the bottom of the fourth, AIC had an opportunity to slice into the deficit with a runner on third, but a throw home by Alifano on a fielder's choice cut down Cam Defeo, which kept the difference at 3-1.

That was all the momentum Adelphi needed. From there, the visitors only built upon their lead.

In the fifth, Tyler Becker slashed a lead-off solo homer to right, while Alifano and Feliz went back-to-back for solo jacks in the seventh.

Josh Rovner earned his second win in as many starts. He allowed only one run over 5.2 innings and struck out a season-high seven hitters.

The Panthers wrap up their four-game series with AIC on Sunday (May 2) with abother doubleheader, starting at noon.