PURCHASE, N.Y. - The Purchase College baseball team was bested at home Wednesday afternoon, falling to Western Connecticut State University in a non-conference matchup by the score of 9-3.
With the result, the Panthers are now 12-12 overall, while the Wolves improved to 4-15.
The Blue and Orange struck first on the day, as
Joe Salerno (JR/White Plains, NY) crushed a two-run triple to right field in the first inning.
The margin was short live though, as the guests answered right back with a pair of runs in the second.
After a scoreless third, the Wolves added a third run in the fourth to grab the lead for good. Two innings later, WestConn doubled its margin to lead 4-2 heading into the seventh inning.
Purchase then managed to trim it in half thanks to an RBI-double from
Trevor Zanderzuk (SR/Manorville, NY), before the guests exploded in the top of the ninth to the tune of five runs to seal the victory.
Overall, the Blue and Orange finished with nine hits, as Zanderzuk,
Brandon Gonzalez (FY/Flushing, NY) and
Tyler Della Mura (SO/Rye Brook, NY) each recorded two hits apiece.
On the mound, seven pitchers made appearances as head coach
Adam Taraska used a committee approach to the non-conference matchup.
In the end,
John Peteani (JR/Yonkers, NY) was tagged with the loss as he allowed the leading run in his one inning of work.
Up next for the Panthers is a return to Skyline Conference action, as the squad travels to the United States Merchant Marine Academy on April 14th at noon.
