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| Photo Credit: Vinny Messana |
Down 3-0 in the seventh inning to NE-10 rival Southern Connecticut State and staring at a fifth consecutive loss, the Adelphi Panthers mounted a four-run comeback capped by a two-run eighth inning double by Tyler Murphy to turn disaster into triumph.
Eric Hassell and Kory Cassara began the eighth-inning rally with consecutive singles to set the stage for a sac bunt. Ray Triano got it down, and the third baseman threw it away which allowed Hassell to score the Panther’s second run.
Murphy came up as a pinch-hitter and he promptly ripped a double to right-center field to give the Panthers the lead.
Senior Mike Cranston came on and immediately was faced with thwarting a rally. He allowed a lead off single and the next batter bunted him into scoring position. They elected to intentionally walk the next hitter to set up a force. He struck out the next batter looking on a 1-2 count. After a wild pitch put the tying run 90 feet away, he induced a ground ball to third base to seal the victory for the Panthers.
Kyle Garrison got the start and he went 4.2 innings, allowing three runs (1 ER). Michael Tarpey, Nick Batas, Michael Ceparano, Ricky Van Allen and Cranston combined to throw 4.1 scoreless innings of relief. Van Allen earned the victory.
Rob Vani had three hits and drove in the Panthers first run with a triple. Cassara added two hits. They will host LeMoyne on Friday.
