OFFENSE STRIKES LATE AS BASEBALL DEFEATS MERCY FOR FOURTH-STRAIGHT VICTORY, 9-5

Box Score vs. Mercy - April 26, 2009

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (Apr. 26, 2009) - Down 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning on Sunday, the Molloy College baseball team plated nine runs over a three-inning stretch, and never looked back as it downed East Coast Conference opponent Mercy College, 9-5, at Lions' Field in Rockville Centre, N.Y. With the victory, the Lions improved to 23-15 overall and 14-6 in league action. They have also won four consecutive games and seven of their last eight. As for the Mavericks, they fell to 8-21 and 2-16 in the ECC.

On another note, Head Coach Joe Fucarino (Wantagh, N.Y.) earned his 100th career win at Molloy. He has been at the helm of the Lions' squad for four seasons, and has achieved a major milestone.

Mercy struck first in the match with a run in its half of the first and second innings. Junior first baseman Mike Grassano (Valley Stream, N.Y.) slapped an RBI double into deep left field to score sophomore infielder Mike Ferrante (Long Beach, N.Y.). Senior infielder Ken Mundy (Valley Stream, N.Y.) came home on a passed ball to the backstop by Molloy senior hurler Eric Williams (Stamford, Conn.) to account for the other. Williams finished his afternoon by tossing 6.1 innings of seven-hit, three-run (one-earned), two-walk, two-strikeout ball.

The Lions put their opening run on the board in Top-5 when senior infielder Peter Loeb (College Point, N.Y.) jetted down 90 feet on a throwing error by Mavericks' freshman righty Billy Dring (Mahopac, N.Y.). In the ensuing inning, Molloy raked a three-spot to grab hold of its first lead at 4-2. Loeb and junior outfielder T.J. Greig (Staten Island, N.Y.) each sent an RBI base knock to the middle of the field. Dring's day for Mercy came up on the box score as yielding six hits, four runs (two earned) and two walks, while fanning one in 5.1 IP.

Following an RBI double by Mavericks' senior outfielder Chris Pannullo (Dix Hills, N.Y.), which cut the deficit to one after 6 ½ innings, the Lions answered with five runs in their part to go up 9-3. Loeb and Greig recorded an RBI single apiece, while senior infielder Patrick Walsh (Bellerose, N.Y.) ripped a bases-clearing double to dead center field for three RBI. Mercy scored once more in Top-8 on a two-run shot by Mundy to right field. However, it was not enough for a comeback, and Molloy earned the victory.

Fucarino and the Lions return to the diamond this Tuesday when they make up a postponed game against league foe Queens College as part of their three-game homestand at Lions' Field in Rockville Centre, N.Y. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. If you are unable to make it, you can follow all of the progress via Live Stats at http://livestats.prestosports.com/molloy.