Garden City, N.Y. — After a long 26 day hiatus, head coach Bill Ianniciello and the Adelphi baseball team returned to William J. Bonomo Field for their home finale against local rival Molloy.
Dawson Montesa got the nod for the Panthers, sitting just four strikeouts away from setting the Adelphi single season record for strikeouts. After a scoreless first from their ace, the Cats struck in the bottom half after a throwing error by the Lions' third baseman scored Greyson Pizzonia.
Molloy tied the game in the second after an Adelphi error prolonged the inning. Montesa, still determined to break the almost 15-year old strikeout record was able to achieve the feat in the top of h the third. After an eight pitch at bat, the sophomore pumped a 90+ mile per our fastball past the Molloy second baseman to earn his 105th strikeout of the campaign.
Gavin Graff quickly replaced the Panther ace and recorded the final out of the third as well as a scoreless fourth, but the Lions were able to tag the right hander in the fifth. A walk, hit by pitch and four straight hits put Molloy up 6-1.
The Adelphi bats remained quiet as Zach Rovner and Bobby Molinaro kept the deficit at five. After a spirited seventh inning stretch from the Panther faithful, the offense fed off of the energy from the crowd and put together a bit of a rally itself.
Alex Rende started the seventh with a leadoff walk and Philip D'Aguanno drove him in on a double down the left field line. Pizzonia singled up the middle to make the score 6-3. Johnny Catuoso then singled before Joe Pellegrino walked to load the bases. Albert Ramos and Bryan McCleary cashed in with an RBI single and walk respectively to get the Cats within one.
In the top of the eighth, the Lions were able to once again stretch their lead out to three after four straight walks and a fielders' choice, but Jonathan Fallacaro was able to limit the damage heading into the bottom half of the inning.
Rende got the engine started with a leadoff triple and score on a passed ball after a D'Aguanno walk. A Pizzonia single put two men on, but Molloy was able to escape the jam after a double play ball relatively unscathed, taking a 8-6 lead into the final frame.
Walks continued to plague the Panther bullpen and Molloy took advantage once again, striking for four in the top of the ninth. Pellegrino tried to ignite a late rally with a leadoff single and was followed by walks from C.J. Picone and Rende to load the bases. Unfortunately, the Brown and Gold could not capitalize and fell 12-6.
The Adelphi baseball team still awaits its postseason fate as the Panthers will wrap up the regular season on Saturday with doubleheader against Molloy at Mitchel Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM.
