PURCHASE, N.Y. - The Purchase College baseball team suffered a heartbreaking defeat Monday evening, falling to Vassar College on a walk off in the 11th inning.
The final run was secured via an RBI-fielder's choice, sending the guests to a 12-11 victory.
The Blue and Orange now sit 2-1 overall while the Brewers moved to 1-1.
The game opened with Vassar scoring a run in the first inning, before Purchase quickly turned the tide in the second, scoring five runs to surge ahead.
Myles Scarry (SR/Levittown, NY) got the scoring started for the Panthers as he hit an RBI-single, before a Vassar error allowed the second run.
Later in the inning, Matthew Deall (JR/ Manorville, NY) doubled the margin, as he hit a two-run single. Liam Daly (SO/Babylon, NY) then slapped a RBI-single pushing the score to 5-1.
Despite the quick lead, Vassar answered right back, scoring three in the bottom of the second.
The third inning saw each team score once as Jemal Betances (6th/Bronx, NY) hit an RBI-single to advance the score 6-5.
The bats stayed hot for Purchase, as they added two runs in the fourth via a single from Frank Rega (SO/West Islip) and an RBI-groundout from Scarry.
Now leading by the score 8-5, things went quiet in the fifth, before the Brewers exploded in the sixth to the tune of five runs.
One inning later, Vassar scored another run, making the score 11-8.
Entering the homestretch, Purchase needed some heroics and Daly delivered, crushing a powerful solo home run to trim the margin to two.
On the mound, the Panthers got a much needed 1-2-3 inning to keep things within reach as they entered the ninth needing to tie the game.
Things started quickly for the Blue and Orange, as they got their first two batters on base, before back-to-back outs left them desperate.
With the game on the line, Vassar intentionally walked Daly to load the bases, which set up Patrick Reyes (SO/ Plainedge, NY) to be the hero.
After a tough battle with the pitcher, Reyes knocked a hit to right field, allowing two runs to score to tie the game up 11-all.
Despite the tied score, Vassar remained defiant, nearly winning the game in the ninth and tenth, before ultimately succeeding in the 11th.
The chance was created following an error and two intentional walks to load the bases, as an RBI-fielder's choice sealed the game.
On the mound, the Blue and Orange used six pitchers in the effort as Justin Lorenzo (SR/ Freeport, NY) was tagged with the loss. Daly earned the start, as he allowed five runs (three earned) on five hits in two innings of work.
At the plate, Daly went 4-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs, two walks and two stolen bases.
Other top hitters on the day included: Bryant Pena (JR/ Queens, NY) with four hits, and Rega, Brandon Gonzalez (FY/ Flushing, NY) and Tyler Della Mura (SO/ Rye Brook, NY) all with two hits each.
The team returns to their home field on Saturday, March 9th for a doubleheader against St. Lawrence University at 11 a.m.
