(04-13-08)
Box Score
WEST HAVEN, Conn. -- Starting pitcher Keith Couch struck out 10 and allowed just two runs in a nine-inning complete game to lead the Adelphi University baseball team to a 12-2 decision over University of New Haven at Frank Vieira Field on Sunday afternoon. With the victory, Adelphi avoids the series sweep at the hands of the Chargers, who won the opening two games in shutout fashion on Saturday.
Bill Melillo drove in three runs for Adelphi (13-19, 6-9 ECC), while Rob DeGennaro, Mike Colonna and Mike Testani all had two RBI's apiece. The Panthers scored 9 of their 12 runs in their final two trips to the plate, getting 12 of their 17 hits in the eighth and ninth innings.
UNH (15-15 overall) is still 11-4 in the ECC and maintains sole possession of first place in the conference standings, having won the series from Adelphi with 2-0 and 3-0 wins on Saturday in Garden City, N.Y.
Jimmy Rivas (photo), who has hit in four straight games, finished 1-for-3 and drove in both of the Chargers' runs on a double down the left field line in the bottom of the sixth inning. Evan Okon was 2-for-3 and scored one of the runs.
But Couch was the story for Adelphi, limiting the Chargers to just five hits and one walk. He gave up a bunt single in the first to Okon and a Michael Moras double in the second, but neither helped UNH get on the scoreboard.
With Adelphi leading 2-0 after single runs in the first and third innings, UNH tied the contest at 2-all when Tom Rombilus singled and Okon followed with a base knock of his own. Rivas then doubled to the wall in left for his 14th and 15th RBI's of the season.
But AU came right back to make it 3-2 when Colonna singled and scored on a Ryan Boelsen double in the top of the seventh.
The Panthers would never trail again, getting six runs in the top of the eighth and three more in the ninth. Couch retired the Chargers in order in the seventh and eighth, and allowed a two-out walk in the ninth before shutting the game down.
The Chargers play four times at home this week, beginning with an ECC game vs. Bridgeport on Tuesday at 3:30. They host Post University on Thursday at 3:30, and then play St. Thomas Aquinas in an ECC doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon.
