Purchase, NY (April 18, 2017) – Purchase College claimed the nightcap of a non-conference doubleheader, 3-2, after the Manhattanville College baseball team rallied to a 7-6 victory in the opener.

Game One: Manhattanville 7, Purchase 6
Purchase senior ace Michael Tecci (Stratford, NY) and rookie standout Patrick Wallace (FR/Manorville, NY) got things rolling for the home team with back-to-back 2-RBI double performances in the bottom of the first inning.

Trailing 4-0, Manhattanville got on the board in the top of the second with a RBI double from Stephen Merrill.  A Purchase error in the third score another run for the Valiants, making it a 4-2 ball game.
Purchase added a run in the fifth and the sixth and appeared to be well on their way to a victory, leading 6-2 entering the top of the seventh but the Crimson and Black had other intentions for the Panthers. Nick Campana began the rally in the team's final at bat with a pinch-hit single to lead-off the inning.

After a Purchase error and a groundout, Joe Booker delivered a clutch piece of hitting, knocking in Campana with a single to right center to make it 6-3. Another Panther error allowed the Valiants to plate another run to make it a two-run game with two outs in the inning. 

Matt Lynch delivered the big hit with the game on the line, tripling to right field to plate seniors Chris Conklin and Robbie Lynchto level the scoring 6-6. Luke Scoggins gave the Valiants the lead with an infield single to push Lynch across, capping off the rally and giving the Valiants a 7-6 lead with three outs to play.

Manhattanville closer Jarret Oehler allowed only one hit in the bottom of the seventh, earning his first save of the season as the Valiants claimed the 7-6 victory.

Game Two: Purchase 3, Manhattanville 2
Similar to the opener, Purchase landed on the board first with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Patrick Rucci (Cortlandt Manor, NY) singled down the right field line to score rookie teammate Gavin Brien (FR/Brooklyn, NY), putting the Panthers ahead 2-0.

Both teams would go scoreless over the next three innings before Manhattanville broke open its scoring with two runs in the fifth to take a 2-1 lead. 

The Panthers answered back in the bottom half of the inning with a big play that would ultimately win the home team the game.  Ryan Aponte (SR/Bronx, NY) scored the tying run on a passed ball and a RBI triple to left field from senior shortstop Teofilo Ramirez (Queens, NY) would bring Wallace around to score the winning run.

Sophomore pitcher Neal Koch (New City, NY) picked up the win in game two and freshman closer John Fitzgerald (Wantagh, NY) earned his first save of the season as the Panthers claimed the 3-2 victory.

Purchase returns to the diamond on Saturday against the College of Mount Saint Vincent.  The doubleheader will be hosted by the Mount but played at Purchase College field.