Box Score
The Lehman College baseball team (2-7 Overall, 1-1 CUNYAC) dropped a non-conference game, falling to the SUNY Purchase Panthers (6-10 Overall, 2-2 Skyline) by a score of 17-7 Tuesday afternoon in Purchase, NY.
After the Panthers took an early 1-0 lead against Lehman College starter Brian Cubero, the Lightning struck for six runs in the top of the second inning, a frame which included a two-run homerun from senior Emmanuel Vera, an RBI walk by junior Bobby Villante, and a three-run double by junior power hitter Gilbert Garcia. After an inning and a half of play, Lehman led 6-1.
SUNY Purchase got one run back in the bottom of the second inning thanks to an RBI groundout by Josh Spielberg. The Panthers wouldn't push across any more runs in the frame, and the Lightning held a 6-2 lead after two. After both teams failed to push across a run in the third inning, Lehman dented home plate again in the top of the fourth, as senior shortstop Andrew Rosario drilled a homerun, giving his team a 7-2 lead.
Unfortunately for the Lightning, that is where the scoring ended and the wheels began to fall off, as the Panthers would score 15 unanswered runs over the next five innings to account for the final score. Cubero was chased after 3 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs (five earned) on two hits while walking seven and striking out five batters. Sanchez, who relieved Cubero with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth inning and the score at 7-6, allowed 10 runs (four earned) while allowing 11 hits and striking out seven in 4 1/3 innings.
SUNY Purchase dented home plate five times in the fourth inning, four more times in the fifth, twice in the sixth, once in the seventh, and three more times in the eighth, spreading out their scoring and eventually running away with the contest. Offensively for the Panthers, it was freshman Frank Fiumara leading the way with a 3-for-5 day at the dish with a run scored, a walk, and two RBI's. Also, it was senior Kyle Saud reaching finishing 1-for-3 with four runs scored, two stolen bases, a walk, and three RBI's. Purchase starting pitcher Mike Sands received a no-decision, hurling 3 2/3 innings and allowing seven runs (all earned) on eight hits while walking three batters and striking out for. Reliever Brian Thompson picked up the victory with 2 2/3 strong innings, allowing no runs on one hit while walking two and striking out two.
Despite the loss for the Lightning, Vera finished 2-for-5 with a homerun, a run scored, and two RBI's, and Garcia finished 1-for-4 with a double and three RBI's. Additionally, it was Rosario finishing 2-for-5 with a homer, a run scored, and an RBI.
The Lightning will return to action tomorrow afternoon as the team hosts Maine-Presque Isle in a non-conference game at the South Field in the Bronx, with game-time scheduled for 3:00pm.
