Danbury, CT (Apr. 13, 2016) – Rookie Mike DeAngelo hit a liner to drive in the game-winning run as the Western Connecticut State University baseball team rallied to down visiting non-league opponent Purchase College, 7-6, Wednesday afternoon at Westside Field.
Rookies
Brian Cunningham (FR/Westbury, NY),
Gregory Walsh (FR/Bethpage, NY) and
Tyrus Lawrence (FR/Mahopac, NY) each finished with two hits for the Panthers. Cunningham and Walsh each tallied their fourth double of the season, while second baseman
Ryan Aponte (Bronx, NY), catcher
Nick Tuozzola (Milford, CT) and designated hitter
Taylor Ringold (JR/South Setauket, NY) combined for three RBI.
For the home team, senior outfielder John Kelly went 2-for-5 with three RBI's, while sophomore first baseman Frank Vartuli added a pair of RBI's, going 2-for-4 for the Colonials.
Western jumped out to a 2-0 lead when sophomore second baseman Stanley Rijo smashed a double down the right field line, scoring Kelly who reached on a triple to right center on the previous at-bat.
With the count even at 3-3 heading into the eighth, Purchase tallied three runs - two unearned due to a throwing error - giving the Panthers a 6-3 advantage. The Colonials rallied in the bottom half of the frame when Kelly belted a three-run homer over the left center wall, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and evening the score at 6-6.
Shortly thereafter, senior outfielder Chris Callahan singled to left to lead-off the Colonials in the bottom of the ninth. He then stole second forcing the Panthers to intentionally walk the next batter. DeAngelo then stepped to the plate for the pinch-hitting winner.
Senior right-handed hurler Bill Alfiere was solid on the mound for Western, surrendering two runs in six innings of work, while freshman Taylor Donofrio picked up the win in relief. Junior
Andrew Fingerhut (Smithtown, NY) took the tough loss for the visitors.
With the victory, Western evened its record at 9-9 overall, while Purchase fell to 10-15.
Up next, the Panthers travel to Throggs Neck, NY for a Skyline Conference doubleheader hosted by SUNY Maritime this Saturday.