WestConn Athletics

DANBURY, CT (Apr. 3rd) – With the score tied 9-9 in the eighth inning, freshman Josh Murray (Colchester, CT) struck out four of the last six batters to earn the win, and the offense produced seven runs in the bottom of the eighth as the Western Connecticut State University baseball team defeated Purchase College, 16-9 at Westside Field Thursday evening. Murray, who entered the game with two runners on base and no outs in the eighth inning, retired the next three Purchase batters without allowing a run, and then retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his first win as a Colonial.

WestConn put runs on the board first when they scored five times in the bottom of the second. The key hit came off the bat of freshman Zack Dandrea (Wanaque, NJ) who hit a two-run homer over the fence in left field.

Purchase answered with two runs in the top of the third inning, but WestConn added another run in the bottom of the inning to extend the lead to 6-2.

In the fourth, five of the first six Purchase batters scored and the Panthers took their first lead of the game, 7-6. WestConn answered again in the bottom of the inning when junior Nick Ross (Oakdale, CT) singled home sophomore Sam McNeil (Gales Ferry, CT) to tie the game at seven.

Purchased reclaimed the lead with single runs in the top of the fifth and sixth innings, but WestConn again answered with two in the bottom of the seventh when freshman Mike Baccaro (Berlin, CT) singled home McNeil and senior Mike Gardiner (Terryville, CT) to tie the game at 9-9.

In the seventh inning, Purchase stranded two runners on base and WestConn three, but neither team managed to score.

In the top of the eight, singles by Michael Shea (Cortlandt Manor, NY) and Austin Groves (Stratford, CT), put two men on with no outs for Purchase. A double steal moved the runners to second and third, but two strikeouts and a pop up to the shortstop ended the Panther threat.

Junior Pat Kantor (Southbury, CT), started the Colonials’ half of the eighth with a double to right field that just missed clearing the fence. Mike Baccaro hit a shot to left that scored Kantor from second for the game-winning run. Sophomore Vinnie Farraiulo (Orlando, FL) and Mike Gardiner also hit doubles to drive in runs and WestConn sent 11 batters to the plate to take a commanding 16-9 lead.

Murray closed out the win for the Colonials in the top of the ninth when the first two Purchase batters struck out looking and the final batter flied out to right.

With this evening’s victory WestConn’s record stands at 8-11, while Purchase College falls to 4-15.
WestConn hosts Little East Conference rival Keene State for an afternoon double-header on Saturday, April 5th (weather permitting). First pitch for game one is schedule for 12:00pm.

Score by Innings                    R  H  E
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Purchase College.... 002 511 000 -  9 11  3
Western Connecticut. 051 102 07X - 16 18  3
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Win - J. Murray (1-1).  Loss - Giaramita (0-1).