Purchase, NY - The University of Mount Saint Vincent battled Purchase College Panthers in a Skyline Conference double header on Friday, but came up short in both contests, losing game one 13-8 and game two 6-4.
The Dolphins are now 5-9 in conference play with a week to go in the regular season.
The Dolphins jumped out early in game one behind a two-run homer from Will Granata in the first inning, adding to his program leading total. The Panthers would tie things up in the bottom half of the inning and continued to add runs in a big second inning, capitalizing on multiple RBI hits and defensive miscues to take control 6-2. The Dolphins cut into the deficit on productive outs from Andrew Farina and John Anthony Spanoudakis, and Granata continued his fantastic opening game with a fourth inning grand slam to make it a two run game. Purchase, however, would escape with the victory.
Game two was as tightly contested as it gets. This time it was who struck early after stranding three Dolphins runners and taking a 2-0 lead after one. Granata again led the way offensively, driving in a run with a double before Farina helped take the lead with a two-run sequence fueled by defensive errors. After Purchase tied it in the third on a solo homer, the game remained tight until the seventh inning, when Purchase broke through with a three-run rally to pull away. Farina added an RBI double late, but the Dolphins ultimately dropped the second game, 6-4.
Game two starter Jake Bland struck out a season-high nine batters across 6.1 innings, giving the senior a 100 strikeout milestone to cap off his UMSV career.
The Dolphins will look to fight their way into the playoff picture beginning Sunday against the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
