Newburgh, NY -
The University of Mount Saint Vincent split a doubleheader with Mount Saint Mary, using a big offensive surge in game one before falling short in the second leg of the afternoon.
The Dolphins remain .500 in conference play, now sporting a 5-5 record.
The Dolphins broke things open in the opener with a dominant sixth inning to secure a 9-5 victory. After falling behind early, UMSV chipped away with RBI hits from Andrew Farina and Michael Akalski to tie the game. The turning point came in the sixth, when Stephen Marinez delivered a two-run double, followed by a two-RBI single from Akalski and an RBI triple from Kyle Brindisi to cap a five-run frame. Pablo Austin also contributed early with an RBI double as the Dolphins' offense came alive late to pull away.
Game two saw the Knights jump out to an early lead and hold off multiple comeback attempts from UMSV in an 11-6 decision. The Dolphins responded in the middle innings, highlighted by Farina's two-RBI single and additional RBI knocks from Austin, Akalski, and Will Granata to pull even at 6-6. Mount Saint Mary would then answered with a three-run eighth and added insurance in the ninth to seal the win.
Akalski led the Dolphins in both hits (three) and RBI (three) in game one, while Austin, Brindisi, Farina and Marinez had two hits each. After a strong four innings with just one earn run allowed from Nicholas Rodriguez, Keylon Canela picked up the win after two scoreless frames before Michael Iocco shut the door on the Knights.
Akalski and Granata led the charge with two hits apiece in game two, while Farina drove home a team-best three runs. Jake Bland struck out four in a five inning start.
The Dolphins will look to right the ship on Monday in a double header against Manhattanville University.
