Late-Inning Home Run Lifts Molloy over Baseball, 6-4
Box Score
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (May 1, 2011) – Molloy junior catcher Robert LaRusso hit a two-run home run over the left field fence in the top of the 11th, giving the Lions a 6-4 victory over the C.W. Post baseball team on Sunday afternoon, along with the series win over the Pioneers in East Coast Conference action.
C.W. Post is now 11-30 overall and 9-14 in ECC play, while Molloy stands at 28-17, 20-8 in conference play.
Molloy opened up the first innings with two runs courtesy of RBI singles by Carmine Pellechia and Ryan Akers.
But C.W. Post answered right back with a run in the first on sophomore catcher
Anthony Corona's (Carmel, N.Y.) RBI single that drove in freshman center fielder
Rich Maccarone (Glen Cove, N.Y.).
The Pioneers plated two runs in the third to take a 3-2 lead, as Maccarone knocked a one out single and scored on a double to right center by sophomore second baseman
Casey McKay (North Massapequa, N.Y.). McKay stole third then scored on the errant throw into left field for the second run.
But Molloy tied the game in the fifth on a bloop single to right field by Akers that scored Carlos Guzman.
The teams remained tied heading into the ninth inning, but Molloy pulled ahead 4-3 in the top of the inning as Greg Walsh reached and advanced to second on an infield throwing error, the scored on Guzman's double to left field.
But the resilient Pioneers tied up the game in the ninth as freshman shortstop
Tom Tolan (Malverne, N.Y.) reached on a throwing error, then scored on McKay's RBI double to left. Senior designated hitter
Nick Compito (Syosset, N.Y.) singled to left field and McKay rounded third base attempting to score, but a perfect throw from Walsh in right to LaRusso at the plate nailed McKay for the second out of the inning.
With one out and Guzman on first in the top of the 11th, LaRusso launched a shot that cleared the fence and gave Molloy the 6-4 lead, and despite putting two runners on base in the bottom of the inning, Larry Ulip induced two fly balls to end the game for the Lions.
Starting pitcher
James Stone (Massapequa, N.Y.) went five innings, scattering 11 hits but giving up only three runs. Senior reliever
Marshall Kapson (Commack, N.Y.) was strong in relief, giving up only three hits and one run (unearned) in four innings. Junior
Glen Hudson (West Sayville, N.Y.) took the loss, working two innings and giving up two runs.
Offensively, Maccarone was 4-for-6 with two runs scored, while McKay went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a runs scored. Freshman first baseman Phil LoPorete (Bellerose, N.Y.) chipped in with two hits.
C.W. Post begins its final ECC series this week against St. Thomas Aquinas as the Pioneers take on the Spartans in what looks to be a fight for the final playoff spot in the ECC Championships on Wednesday starting at 3 p.m.