by Vinny Messana
A loss is never worth more than one game, but in this case it carries the pain of several.
The Molloy Lions were cruising to an 8-2 lead in the seventh inning against the University of Bridgeport in the final round of the loser’s bracket of the ECC tournament.
They could not hold on, however, and were upended 14-12 in shocking fashion.
The Knights chipped away with four runs in the seventh inning cut the lead to 8-6. After the Lions added three runs on a two-run double by Brian Murphy (4-for-5, 4 RBI) and a sac fly on an infield foul ball by Deilyn Guzman, it appeared they had the game in hand.
In the eighth, the Knights mounted a furious rally and put up three runs on a two-run double by Jose Negron and an RBI single by Casey Ouellete to score Negron and cut the lead to 11-1.
Once again ,the Lions added a run in their half of the eighth on a wild pitch to score to Nicholas Gonchar.
It wasn’t enough, and the Knights put up a four-spot in the ninth inning. Lucas Burton came in relief for Shawn Klotsche, hoping to put out the fire but he was greeted with an RBI single which cut the lead to 12-11.
Coach Joe Fucarino called on ace Ron Bauer on one-day rest, hoping he could use the magic that enabled him to be named First Team ECC this season, but he allowed an RBI single to Isaiah Rivera to tie up the game.
They then took the lead on a wild play that included two errors and advanced the runners two bases.A wild pitch brought home the Knights’ 14th run.
The Lions went down 1-2-3 in the ninth all via strikeouts by Anthony Alicki. Just like that, the Lions were eliminated from the ECC tournament.
They still have a very good case to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA regionals due to their strong resume and 31-win season.
Bobby Kelly, the starter for the Lions, threw seven strong innings allowing just two ER and appeared to be in line for the victory, but it did not come to fruition.
