HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – The Centenary University baseball team rallied late in both games but ultimately fell to Mount Saint Vincent in a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Our Diamond of Dreams.
Centenary trailed 8-5 heading to the bottom of the ninth in game one and scored a late run but could not come all the way back as the Dolphins claimed the 8-6 win. Mt. St. Vincent led 6-1 in game two before the Cyclones rallied with three runs in the bottom of the fifth. However, the Dolphins were able to limit the damage and claimed the 6-4 win.
Game One Recap (Dolphins Won 8-6):
Mount St. Vincent got the scoring started early with a pair of runs in the top of the first in game one.
Centenary got one of those runs back in the bottom half of the frame.
Jake Keenan ripped a single to center that scored
Paul Links.
The Cyclones added to their advantage with three runs in the bottom of the second. Links had a single and scored a run in the inning while
Christopher Gass contributed an RBI groundout.
The Dolphins responded with four runs in the top of the third for a 6-4 lead in the game.
Eric Zimmermann and
Michael Grisanti each drew bases loaded walks to force in a run in the frame.
Centenary made it a 6-5 game in the bottom of the third as
Anthony Vassallo doubled home
Nicholas Grifone.
Mount St. Vincent added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings for an 8-5 lead in the game.
The Cyclones weren't done yet as
Jon Fleck drove a two-out double to left in the ninth inning which allowed Links to score, which made it an 8-6 game. However, the Dolphins were able to get the final out and secure the win.
Andrew Geiger earned the win for Mt. St. Vincent as he went eight innings and gave up five runs on 12 hits while striking out eight.
Sean Kennedy got the save after giving up one run in the ninth.
Zach Gehman took the loss for the Cyclones after giving up four runs in one plus inning of action.
Jake Blinstrub was 4-for-5 with three runs scored in the game for the Dolphins.
Links went 3-for-5 with three runs scored out of the leadoff spot for the Cyclones while Grifone was 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
Game Two Recap (Dolphins Won 6-4):
The Cyclones struck first in game two.
Anthony Ranaudo struck out the side in the top of the first and
Chris Hess led off the bottom half of that frame with a single. He eventually crossed the plate on
Cole Heitzman's single to left.
Mt. St. Vincent put six on the board between the third and fifth innings. Blinstrub had a two-run single in the third while
Matt DiNorcia added an RBI single and a sac fly.
The Cyclone bats were not done yet as they rallied for three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Centenary loaded the bases with no outs. Mt. St. Vincent was able to turn the double play, but
Miron Miller crossed the plate. Keenan added an RBI double and came around to score on Grifone's base knock.
Centenary got two runners on in the sixth but was unable to convert and Mt. St. Vincent was able to hold on for the 6-4 win.
Humberto Vela earned the win in relief for the Dolphins. He went 1.1 innings and gave up three runs on three hits.
Aidan Rice earned the save with two innings of scoreless relief work. Ranaudo took the loss despite striking out five in three innings.
Blinstrub finished with two hits and two RBIs for the Dolphins.
Hess had three hits and a run scored for the Cyclones while Keenan added a hit, a run scored and an RBI.
Centenary is back in action on Tuesday, Mar. 22 when it hosts John Jay at 4 p.m.
