Boxscore
Yaphank, N.Y. – College of Mount Saint Vincent junior John McManus (Queens, N.Y.) drilled his
third career grand slam to put the Dolphins in front 5-4 late in its game against Western Connecticut on Thursday, but the Colonials scratched out a pair of runs in the eighth inning to escape with a 6-5 win.
McManus finished the day with a pair of hits for the Mount and a run scored.
Western Connecticut took a 4-0 lead after six frames on Thursday, scoring once in the third and sixth innings and a pair in the fifth keyed by Jeff Gordon home run and an RBI single from Dan Amarante.
The Dolphins got back into the game in the home half of the seventh inning when they plated all five of their runs to take a one run advantage. Ryan Hollborn (Islip Terrace, N.Y.) led off with a walk and eventually scored when James Labartino (Holbrook, N.Y.) was hit by a pitch.
Five of the first six Dolphins to bat in the inning reached base, including three straight hitters who were hit by a pitch leading up to McManus. The junior put the Mount in front with his second grand slam of the season and the third of his career. All three of his career round trippers have been with the bases full.
The Colonials (1-0) would quickly respond with two runs in the eight which would prove to be the difference in the game shortened by darkness. After the bases were loaded with one out Mike Yates drove in the eventual game winner with a single and then Western Connecticut added an insurance run when John Conlon reached on a fielder's choice with the Mount trying to turn two.
Joe Postemsky came on a worked a scoreless eighth inning for Western Connecticut to earn the win. He allowed the tying run to second with one out in the inning before striking out the final two batters he faced. John Olsen (Seaford, N.Y.) took the loss in relief for Mount Saint Vincent.
Gordon led the Colonials by going 2-4 with a pair of runs scored, while Amarante went 2-3 with an RBI. John Conlon also drove in a pair of runs for the visitors.
McManus was the only Mount Saint Vincent player with more then one hit, as he recorded half of the Dolphins' four safeties in the contest. Labartino added the fifth RBI for the Mount on the afternoon.
The loss drops Mount Saint Vincent to 2-3 overall on the season. The Dolphins will be back in action again on Sunday in Fort Pierce, Fla. when they take on Centenary at 10:00 a.m. and then Rutgers-Camden at 2:00 p.m.
