CHARLESTON, S.C. – Senior shortstop Matt Matulia's three-run home run proved to be the game-winner as The Citadel slipped past Le Moyne baseball, 4-3, Wednesday afternoon in Riley Park. The Dolphins (1-4) got two hits each from Andy Parrino (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) and Mike Brown (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal).
Junior starter Zach Brown earned his first win of the season as Citadel closer Link Saunders registered his fifth save. The Dolphins pulled within one in the seventh, but Saunders came on to wrap it up for the Bulldogs in the ninth. After hitting the first batter, Saunders settled in to earn his fifth save of the season and the 10th of his career.
Le Moyne took the early lead in the second as designated hitter Brian Hansen hit a solo home run over the fence in left center to put the Dolphins up 1-0. Hansen's dinger was his first of the season and the fifth for the Dolphins.
The Citadel (6-3) scored four runs in the third as senior catcher Brady Mashak singled through the left side to lead off the inning. Senior second baseman Tripp Cappelmann moved Mashak over to second with a base hit to right center. Senior right fielder Matt Covington grounded into a fielder's choice for an RBI to knot the game at one. Sophomore left fielder Chris Swauger worked the count for a walk before Matulia stepped in to blast a three-run shot over the right field fence, his second homer of the year.
Parrino ripped another solo home run for the Dolphins in the fifth to cut the Bulldog lead in half. Parrino smashed a 2-2 offering from Citadel starter Zach Brown for his second of the season.
Le Moyne added another run in the seventh as Parrino doubled to right with one out and advanced to second on a groundout. First baseman Keith Connors (Jamesport, N.Y./Commack) walked on four straight balls to put runners on the corners. Michael Affronti (Dix Hills, N.Y./Commack) then singled to right to plate Parrino and make it 4-3.
Brown picked up his first win of the season as he went seven frames, giving up three runs on eight hits and fanning four. Le Moyne starter Adam Leduc (Beaconsfield, Que./Loyola) suffered the loss in his first outing of the year as he tossed five innings, allowing four runs on four hits and striking out one.
Le Moyne travels to Georgia Southern for a 7 p.m. game on Friday night.
(Courtesy of The Citadel)
