by Vinny Amodeo
A two-run bottom of the eighth inning solidified a much-needed sweep of New Haven for the Adelphi Panthers this afternoon, and brought them back in the race for the NE-10 playoffs in May.
With solid starts from both pitchers, the game was tied 2-2 moving into the bottom of the eighth with Adelphi’s best hitter, Rob Vani, due to lead off. Vani grooved a ball to right center, which was almost ran down by the center fielder as the ball tipped off his glove and allowed Vani to get to third.
Senior Alex Zykoff got the job done with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Vani to take the lead. Junior second baseman Zack Levinson added an insurance run with an RBI single through the right side on a hit and run, scoring Steven Withers, who walked and was moved over on a single from Eric Hassell.
“I was really just looking for something that I could lift to the outfield and get the ball passed the infielders somehow, just trying to push that run in,” said Zykoff on his SAC fly to take the lead. “I happened to get an elevated fastball and was able to lift it to the outfield and fortunately get that run in.”
New Haven broke open the scoring in the top of the first with a single up the middle from Nick Perrelli that bounced off of Matt O’Connor’s thigh. This preceded a RBI double from Jack Zagaja and gave the Chargers a 1-0 lead.
Adelphi tied the game in the third inning as Ray Triano led off with a single and moved two bases on a wild pick-off attempt from Luke Foster. An error recorded by the first baseman, Andrew Garcia, on a grounder hit by Jonathan Iadevaia allowed Triano to score.
UNH took the lead in the next half inning, as a walk, single and SAC fly produced the run. Adelphi didn’t wait long to tie the game in the bottom half of that inning on a hit batter, Withers, who stole two bases and was awarded home on an interference call by the third baseman.
The Chargers threw a spot starter today in Luke Foster, who gave them 7 1/3 strong innings, giving up four runs (2 earned) on five hits and three walks, while striking out three.
Foster was out dueled on the day by the Panthers Matt O’Connor. O’Connor threw another gem going eight innings, striking out seven, walking one and giving up just two runs (1 earned).
Michael Demarest earned his third save of the weekend and third of the season throwing a clean ninth inning for Adelphi.
The Panthers will take the diamond on April 26, as they host Post University at 3:30 pm.
The Chargers will have no rest, facing Saint Anslem tomorrow, April 25, in West Haven, Conn. at 3:30 pm.
