Purchase, NY (March 31, 2016) – Purchase College dropped a 5-1 non-conference game to visiting Montclair State University on Thursday afternoon after a late comeback for the Panthers fell short.
The Panthers drop to 6-12 overall while the Red Hawks advance to 9-9 on the season.
Despite the loss, Purchase had an impressive showing from its defense, including senior
William Kaul's (Eastchester, NY) notable catch in center field to end the top of the third inning and senior catcher
Brenden LaPorte's (Farmington, CT) diving catch in the eighth.
Montclair jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first at-bats of the game. Designated hitter Joe Foote singled to left field, bringing teammate Keith Murphy home to score the opening run of the game. Ian Lynch's RBI single and Aaron Kane's sacrifice fly out tallied another two runs for the Red Hawks before an out at second base would close the top half of the inning.
Montclair pitcher Connor Lindsay held the Panthers to one hit over the next five innings of action. Purchase scored its only run of the game in the bottom of the eighth against relief pitcher Jay Gorman. After two walks and a Montclair error loaded the bases for Purchase, outfielder
William Kaul (Eastchester, NY) batted into a double play that would bring
Gregory Walsh (FR/Bethpage, NY) in to score, cutting the Montclair lead down to two runs.
The Red Hawks extended their lead to 5-1 with a pair of runs in the top of the ninth inning.
Lindsay notched the win for the Red Hawks in his debut start on the mound, while Purchase rookie
Neal Koch picked up his first loss of the season. Koch allowed seven hits, three runs and two walks while striking out two batters.
A series of pitchers would come in for relief for Purchase, including
CJ Schoenleber (JR/Suffern, NY),
Jacob Vazquez (JR/Cortlandt Manor, NY), Joseph Denota (SR/Mt. Vernon, NY),
Joshua Frank (FR/Dix Hills, NY).
The Panthers return to the diamond this Saturday with a Skyline Conference doubleheader against the College of Mount Saint Vincent. Game 1 of the series is set to start at 11 a.m.