Purchase, NY (April 14, 2017) – Some non-conference midweek games feel more important in a college baseball season than others. Friday's game was one of those for Purchase.

Clutch hitting coupled with a solid defensive team effort, earned the Panthers a 9-4 comeback victory against the visiting Bloodhounds of John Jay College in non-conference action Friday afternoon.

With the win, the Panthers advance to 6-12 overall.  The Bloodhounds pick up their third-straight loss and drop to 7-14 overall.

John Jay struck first in the game with two runs in the top of the first inning. Dylan Laudano doubled down the left field line to score Zach Hyde.  Laudano later came around to score on a RBI single from C.J. Meyer.  The Bloodhounds added another run in the second inning to take a 3-0 lead over the Panthers.

The Panthers came alive in the bottom of the third. With two outs and two on base, senior standout Michael Tecci (Stratford, NY) put Purchase on the board with a triple to right center that brought Patrick Rucci (SR/Cortlandt Manor, NY) and Teofilo Ramirez (SR/Bronx, NY) in to score.  Rookie sensation John Fitzgerald (FR/Wantagh, NY) batted in the winning run with a 2-RBI triple to right field. 

Starting pitcher Joseph Stewart (SR/Theills, NY) (1-2) held the Bloodhounds to just four hits over the next four innings, while the Panther offense continued to put in work, knocking in another five runs in the sixth and seventh innings combined.   

Stewart went seven innings strong on the mound for Purchase, earning his first win of the season along the way. He gave up three runs on 10 hits while striking out four of the 30 batters he faced.

Fitzgerald went 4-for-4 with three RBI to lead the Purchase offense.
 
The Panthers return to action at home with a non-conference doubleheader against Manhattanville College on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.