Yaphank, NY - The City College of New York baseball team erupted for 44 runs across two games to sweep Lehman College in a CUNYAC doubleheader on Friday afternoon at Lasorda Legacy Park, winning 19–4 in Game 1 and 25–2 in Game 2.
With the sweep, CCNY improves to 8–14 overall, while Lehman falls to 2–18.
Game 1 – CCNY 19, Lehman 4
The Beavers struck first in the opening inning when freshman Tyler Persampire drove in sophomore Gerard Molinaro with an RBI single before senior Erik Rank launched a two-run home run to right field to give CCNY a 3–0 lead.
Lehman responded in the second inning with a three-run homer from Damian Delgadillo, briefly taking a 4–3 lead. CCNY quickly answered when Molinaro delivered an RBI single later in the inning to tie the game.
From there, CCNY's offense took over.
The Beavers exploded for eight runs in the third inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Molinaro, an RBI single from Persampire, and a two-run home run by senior Rich Cirigliano. CCNY added four more runs in the fourth and three in the fifth to break the game open.
Molinaro led the offensive surge, finishing 4-for-5 with three runs scored and five RBIs, while Persampire went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs. Rank added a strong performance with four hits and three RBIs, and Cirigliano contributed two hits and three RBIs, including his home run.
On the mound, freshman Armani Smith earned the complete-game victory, allowing four runs on seven hits over seven innings while striking out two.
Game 2 – CCNY 25, Lehman 2
CCNY carried the momentum into Game 2, scoring 11 runs in the first inning to immediately take control of the game.
The Beavers capitalized on walks, hit batters, and timely hitting, with RBIs from Gerard Molinaro, Rich Cirigliano, Jake Brenner, James Anderson, Jason Roser, John Spallin, and Demetri Zirogiannis fueling the massive opening frame.
Cirigliano had a standout performance, going 4-for-4 with six RBIs, including a two-run home run in the fifth inning. Frank Cundari also homered and finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored, while Erik Rank went 3-for-3 with three runs and two RBIs.
On the mound, Rank delivered an impressive outing, pitching six innings while striking out 12 and allowing just two runs on eight hits to earn the win. Junior Adrian Tang closed out the game with a scoreless seventh inning.
Up next, returns to play on Tuesday, April 14, on the road against Centenary University at 3:30 p.m.
