Box Score - Game 1
Box Score - Game  2

Purchase, NY (Apr. 1, 2012) – Fans certainly got their money's worth Sunday afternoon at Purchase.

The baseball team went 15 innings in the opener against Farmingdale State before a controversial runner interference call marred a 6-5 opening loss to the visiting Rams. Powerhouse FSC then capitalized on the bad vibe to take a rain-shortened game two, 7-0. The nightcap was called after five full innings.

In all, fans were witness to 20 innings – five of which were played in a consistent down pour – of baseball, two coach ejections – one on each side – and another chapter of the FSC-Purchase rivalry.

Backed by a four-run sixth inning, the Panthers led the opener 5-1. Purchase jumped on the board in the third on a sacrifice fly by Jay Ruiz (FR/Bronx, NY), which plated John Duffy (SO/Staten Island, NY) for the game's first run. In the sixth, Frank Fiumara* (SR/Port Chester, NY) singled home two runs and Duffy walked in a run. Shortly later, leadoff man Michael Sarni (JR/Shelton, CT) singled home Fiumara for a commanding lead.

The Panthers even got to reliever and former pitcher C.J. Bula in the process. However, Bula would settle in and toss nine innings of relief, helping the Rams get back into the game from the seventh on. Farmingdale scored two in the eighth and two in the ninth, touching up ace Matt Paz* (JR/Bridgeport, CT), who relieved starter Chris Carboni (SR/Stratford, CT).

Carboni pitched well enough to win, tossing 7 2/3 innings of three-run baseball. Paz, who allowed three runs, pitched 7 1/3, but was responsible for the game-tying run in the ninth and allowed the go-ahead and winning run in the 15th.

FSC manufactured runs in the late innings and held off a Panther rally that appeared to end the opener. Purchase had the bases loaded and the runner was safe at first, allowing the winning run to score in extra innings. However, the umpires deemed the runner at second out on interference and called both out, ending the threat. The Rams then scored the winning run to close out the opener.

Thomas Rydzewski had five hits in game one for FSC. Teammate Ron Remi added four of his own, while shortstop Anthony Alvino had the game-winning RBI on a sac fly in the 15th.

The Panthers outhit FSC in game two, but the Rams started strong and took advantage of the shortened finale. They scored two in the second, two in third and three more in the fourth, while holding Purchase's early rallies at bay. The Panthers recorded eight hits, including two from Duffy and designated hitter Michael Marrone (SR/Pleasantville, NY).

Offensively, FSC's Eric Weiner led the way in game two. The catcher had two hits and an RBI.

Purchase is now 10-15 overall and 3-5 in conference play. FSC improved to 16-9 and 9-1 in the Skyline.    

The Panthers will return to action at home Wednesday against WestConn. The game was originally scheduled as a road matchup before being rescheduled at Purchase for Wednesday at 3 p.m.