Box Score

Purchase, NY (Mar. 15, 2012) – Thursday's come-from-behind victory for Purchase College baseball at rival Manhattanville is a turning point and a milestone in program history.

Under the guidance of head coach Bill Guerrero, the Panthers (7-6) toppled their Anderson Hill Road nemesis, 4-3, earning their first ever victory over the powerhouse Valiants. To boot, Manhattanville (4-2) was coming off an impressive 24-12 win over DII Pace University. 

“This is the best win in program history,” elated Purchase Associate Director of Athletics Chris Bisignano said afterward. “We are so proud of the baseball team and head coach Bill Guerrero.”

The baseball program has come a long way over the last decade, reaching the playoffs and remaining as a viable contender inside and outside of league play. Thursday's win, albeit a regular season matchup, is a shining example of the program's recruitment, talent and improved play in all facets of the game.

The battle for bragging rights of Anderson Hill Road went to Purchase as the Panthers knocked off the Valiants. Manhattanville had a 3-2 lead heading to the top of the eighth inning but surrendered two runs as Purchase rallied to complete the victory.

Manhattanville jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Panthers scratched a run across in both the top of the second and top of the third off of Valiant starter David Jones. He settled down and pitched the next two innings before being pulled to start the sixth. He left in line for the victory after Manhattanville regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth on a Sean Ferguson single that brought around Dan Fiorito.

Reliever A.J. Marini came on to pitch next for Manhattanville and pitched through the first two innings fairly easily, allowing two hits over the sixth and seventh frames. In the eighth, Purchase was able to string a few base knocks together after Marini retired the first two batters.

With two on and two out, Purchase first baseman Phil Georges (JR/Brooklyn, NY) brought home a pair on a base hit to left field to give Purchase the go-ahead, 4-3.

In recap, Skyline Rookie of the Week Michael Sarni (JR/Shelton, CT) singled to left center and stole second. Colin Morris (JR/Bridgeport, CT) followed with a single to advance Sarni to third base. Georges singled to left field and would advance to second on the throw, plating Sarni and Morris.

On the other side of the ball, the Valiant bats went quiet over the final three innings as they were only able to collect one hit off of each of the three relievers that followed Purchase starter Vincent McCarty (FR/Huntington, NY).

Collecting the win was reliever Miller Lulow* (JR/New York, NY) (3-1), who pitched a scoreless seventh frame after McCarty went the first six innings and allowed the three Valiant runs. Chris Carboni (SR/Stratford, CT) and Matt Paz* (JR/Bridgeport, CT) also dazzled in relief for the Panthers, capping the eighth and ninth, respectively. The final out was an impressive one for Paz and the Panthers. The righty retired Fiorito, the No. 3 DIII pro prospect in the country. Fiorito flied out to center to end the game.

Frank Fiumara* (SR/Port Chester, NY) and Josh Spielberg (SR/Oceanside, NY) had two hits apiece for the Panthers and Kevin McQuade (SR/Mamaroneck, NY ) and Jay Ruiz (FR/Bronx, NY) accounted for the other two RBI, each recording one apiece.

Offensively, the Panthers keep rolling, even without standout three-hole hitter Justin Sherman (JR/New Rochelle, NY). Sherman is expected to return from injury soon and make Purchase's powerful lineup even more potent.

Purchase will look for its fourth win in a row when they host the Cortland Red Dragons in a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon beginning at 12:00 p.m.

-Manhattanville Sports Information Contributed to this report