Bronx, NY — The City College of New York baseball team defeated Lehman College, 9–7, on Saturday morning at South Field, holding off a late seventh-inning rally after building an early lead.
CCNY wasted no time jumping on the scoreboard, plating four runs in the opening inning.
Gerard Molinaro sparked the offense with a two-run double, bringing home
Demetri Zirogiannis and
John Spallin. Moments later,
Rich Cirigliano launched a two-run home run to right field, giving the Beavers a 4–0 advantage.
Lehman responded in the bottom half of the first with a solo home run from Hecnel Guzman, but CCNY continued to apply pressure.
Erik Rank delivered an RBI double in the third, and Molinaro added another RBI double in the fourth to extend the lead. Cirigliano struck again in the fifth with his second home run of the game, pushing the score to 7–1. The Beavers added key insurance runs in the seventh inning, as
Jason Roser drove in two with a double to make it 9–1.
Lehman mounted a dramatic comeback in the bottom of the seventh, scoring six runs on a series of extra-base hits, including home runs from Daniel McCrink and Luke Friscoe. The Lightning cut the deficit to 9–7 and threatened to complete the comeback.
However, CCNY turned to
Erik Rank out of the bullpen, who recorded the final out to earn his third save of the season and secure the victory.
Tristan Bausenwein earned the win in relief, improving to 3–1 on the year after tossing 5.2 innings with six strikeouts.
Armani Smith started the game, allowing one run over the opening inning.
Molinaro led the offensive effort, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two doubles, while Cirigliano finished 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBIs. Roser also contributed with two RBIs in the seventh inning.
The game marked the only contest of the scheduled doubleheader, as inclement weather forced the cancellation of Game 2. The Beavers will resume play against the Lightning on Tuesday, April 28 in the series finale.
