Box Score - Game 1
Box Score - Game 2

Purchase, NY (Apr. 14, 2012) – A perfect spring afternoon at Purchase College played host to a baseball twin bill that was also highlighted by the program's first annual “Division III Appreciation Day.”

Purchase athletics took part in the NCAA's inaugural DIII Week, welcoming Daniel Bernstein and the popular, local youth sports group Backyard Sports to the diamond for an early morning celebration of DIII athletics. Sports Information Director Bobby Ciafardini presided over a pre-game ceremony as youngsters from the Carver Center in Port Chester and the Edward Williams School in Mount Vernon joined the college baseball team for a day of fun. The Panthers signed autographs, practiced with the local youth and then the children played kickball before returning to the diamond for the ceremony.

“Our particular part of the membership maybe the most perfect model for college athletics,” said Ciafardini to the crowd prior to Purchase's doubleheader defeat to the College of Mt. St. Vincent (the Dolphins took the opener 8-4 and game two, 9-1). “DIII athletes play not for scholarship, but instead for passion. They make commitment, not because they have to, but rather because they want to.

“This celebration is an opportunity for Purchase College to publically demonstrate the well-rounded collegiate experience that is DIII athletics,” he continued. “DIII is home to 180,000 student-athletes, competing in the NCAA's largest membership division.”    

The afternoon was made possible b Purchase baseball head coach Bill Guerrero, Associate Athletic Director Chris Bisignano, Athletic Director Ernie Palmieri and Bernstein. Following the events, Purchase senior director of dining services Nicholas Mennilo provided hotdogs, chips and drinks for the youth and the team. “We thank everyone for today, especially Nick for capping the afternoon with some great ballpark franks,” Bisignano said. “I think the kids felt like they were part of a major league game today. Our student-athletes, our staff and our program shined on a great day for baseball.”    

Unfortunately, the Panthers, still dealing with injuries, came up short in both ends of the doubleheader – a day afternoon crushing NYU-POLY, 32-10.

The visiting Dolphins opened with one run in the first inning of game one and then utilized a four-run fourth en route to the victory. Purchase scored one in the first and one in the third, but trailed 8-2 heading into the eighth. Purchase showed some fight, scoring two runs in the eighth, but CMSV walked away 8-4 winners in the opener.

Colin Morris (JR/Bridgeport, CT) had two of the team's eight hits in game one, including two RBI. Josh Sharpe led CMSV with two hits, two runs and two RBI from the three-hole.

In game two, Kevin McQuade (SR/Mamaroneck, NY) tallied three hits for the Panthers, while Jay Ruiz (FR/Bronx, NY) drove in the team's lone run.

CMSV's Mike McManus pitched a complete game. The Dolphins, who jumped out to a 4-1 lead after four, were led offensively by Sharpe, who shared the game-high of three hits with McQuade and teammate T.J. Laible. CMSV's Jason Rivera drove in two runs in the finale.

Purchase is now 11-19 overall and 4-7 in conference play. The Dolphins are 12-13 and 4-6 in the league.

Up next, the Panthers will travel to SUNY Maritime Sunday.