by Vinny Amodeo
Offense beat offense in today’s contest as American International College won the scoring battle against Adelphi in a 10-7 victory this afternoon.
The scoring, although, was started by the Panthers in the first as they shook up any confidence that starting pitcher Jason Coscio had coming into this game, or though it seemed.
Photo Credit: Vinny Amodeo
The bottom half of the first inning featured five straight hits from the two through six batters in Adelphi’s lineup, leading to four runs in the inning. The inning was highlighted by a two-RBI triple from senior Alex Zykoff that snuck into the right center gap.
AIC didn’t wait long to answer back as the designated hitter, Karl Kapinos, hit a sky-high home run that cleared the right field fence by a long shot. This set the tone for a productive day at the plate for Kapinos as he went 2-for-3 with two runners batted in and two runs scored.
The third inning featured another pair of runs for AIC as they were slowly cutting into Adelphi’s early lead. A single from Brendan Carter led to back-to-back singles from Tyler Geffert and Chris Starcun. Starcun’s single scored the second run for American International, while a dropped fly ball by Eric Hassell, hit by Kris White, would lead to another run being scored in the top of the third.
Photo Credit: Vinny Amodeo
Moving into the fifth inning after a scoreless fourth, AIC saw themselves down by just one run as Croscio began to settle in and find his groove. He ended blanking the Panthers for five innings after the tough first, giving up four earned runs on 10 hits in 6.1 innings pitched, while earning his first win of the season.
A big fifth inning would lead to three straight innings of crooked numbers for the AIC offense, as their bats were relentless on this afternoon. This inning proved to be the best scoring inning for the Yellow Jackets as the put up a four spot on five hits.
Back-to-back doubles from Geffert and Starcun led to the run in the sixth, while both runs scored in the seventh and eighth were due to wild pitches leading way to free bases.
Adelphi’s last breath was taken in the bottom of the eighth as the Panthers put three runs on the board to cut AIC’s lead in half at 10-7. Back-to-back doubles from Cam Orologio and Mike Stack, followed by a single from Steven Withers led to the three runs scored.
Unfortunately for Adelphi, the Yellow Jackets would hold their lead in the bottom of the ninth, secure a victory and secure the season series.
American International’s next games will be on Tuesday, April 19 against Post University in Waterbury, Conn., while Adelphi will take the diamond next on that same day in New Haven, Conn. against Southern Connecticut State University.
