by Chris Prystupa
FINAL: Molloy: 6 FPU: 4 Cucchiara slams the door and earns the save capturing the D2 East Regional Championship pic.twitter.com/k8b9htLlXg
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 22, 2022
For the first time in program history, the Molloy Lions are headed to the Super Regionals. They defeated perennial powerhouse Franklin Pierce, 6-4, in the deciding game of the NCAA East Regional tournament on their home turf.
This game had everything you could want when it comes to a postseason winner-take-all. From lead changes, clutch hits, strong relief work, solid defense, and getting out of jams Molloy versus Franklin Pierce did not disappoint.
Right from the top of the first inning Molloy put the pressure on with the first two batters of the game hitting a single followed by a double. With runners on second and third and nobody out Thomas Brady would bring home the game’s first run on a fielder’s choice. Franklin Pierce responded right away in the bottom half as Randy Flores smashed the first pitch he saw from graduate student Brian Morrisey for a solo shot. Later that same inning, Charles Lebron would single home Graham Smith who had reached on an error.
After an action-packed first inning both team’s offenses would go quiet until the fourth inning. Having already woken up the bats Molloy’s Patrick Hoffman and Chris Einemann would hit back-to-back RBI doubles not only tying the game for Molloy but putting them in the lead 3-2. Peter Theodorellis added on with one RBI on a single as Franklin Pierce’s centerfielder, Joel Lara, would throw out Pecora trying to score on the play but the damage was done as Molloy now led 4-2.
Theodorellis slaps a single up the middle scoring Einemann but Pecora is nabbed at the plate making it 4-2 Molloy pic.twitter.com/bJD6LM9k2F
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 22, 2022
Franklin Pierce made an effort to get even with Molloy in the bottom of the fifth as Lara hit a towering shot out to left field to bring the deficit to 4-3. Molloy would add onto their lead again in the top of the seventh inning as David Franchi would double down the left field line. Smith would have trouble getting to the ball and ultimately booted it allowing Matt Overton to score putting Molloy back up two runs at 5-3.
With time running out Franklin Pierce made another effort in the bottom of the seventh to chip into Molloy’s lead. With Peter Theodorellis in to pitch, the Ravens were able to manufacture a run thanks to a lead-off walk by Lara. Lara would steal second and be moved over to third on a grounder from Flores. Finally, Smith would roll over to Franchi at short scoring Lara making it a one run ballgame once again.
Trouble struck for Molloy in the bottom of the eighth as Theodorellis wound up walking the first two hitters of the inning. Head Coach Joe Fucarino wasn’t going to take any chances and brought in ECC Pitcher of the Year, Charlie Cucchiara. Cucchiara was coming into this tight situation having just thrown 114 pitches on Thursday. After a bunt attempt resulting in the lead runner being thrown out, Cucchiara induced a huge 5-4-3 double play to put an end to the Franklin Pierce threat. It was exactly what Molloy needed to handed to preserve the lead.
Molloy would go on to add another run making the game 6-4 on a Franchi RBI single giving themselves an insurance run. Cucchiara wouldn’t need that as he slammed the door in the ninth and earned the save, leading Molloy to Capture the East Regional Championship. Brian Morrisey would earn the victory going six strong innings allowing only two earned runs while Hunter Wilichoski would be tagged with the loss.
Molloy Lions SS David Franchi was all over the base paths today. Here he talks about his day at the plate what it feels like to be heading to play in the Super Regional pic.twitter.com/Zp3uUeNxTK
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 22, 2022
Molloy will now face-off against the number one seeded Southern New Hampshire State University in a best-of-three Super regional to advance to the Division-II College World Series.
