Apr. 11, 2011

Box Score

The Lehman baseball team finished its three game weekend set with City College of New York on Sunday afternoon, as it fell to 5-16 overall after letting a 5-1 sixth inning lead slip away in a 10-7 defeat.

Held to just one run through the first five innings by Lightning starter Arturo Lazaro, the Beavers exploded for nine runs in the bottom of the sixth despite only three hits. The combination of a tiring Lazaro and reliever Brandon Negron issued five walks, one passed ball and hit two batters. The few good pitches the Beavers got to hit resulted in RBI base hits for Daniel Perez and Chris Lounsbury.

An attempt at a late rally fell short when, after Lehman scored two runs on a CCNY error and hit by pitch, reliever Henry Loehrke got himself into trouble, and then got himself out of trouble by striking out Jhon Comas Disla and George Flores with the bases loaded.

CCNY's comeback overshadowed a quality start for the Lightning, who put a four spot on the board in the top of the first inning when the first six batters reached base. A three-run triple by Flores was the big blow, with Raul Cordero adding an RBI single for good measure.

In the loss, Jeremy Lopez and Onix Mejia each picked up three hits for the Lightning. Lazaro was credited with the loss having officially given up six runs (five earned) in his 5 1/3 innings of work.

For the Beavers, Dave Titor earned the win, as his entrance following starter Joseph Curto's inability to record an out in the first inning and subsequent relief work (five innings, one run) kept CCNY in the game until its offensive explosion several innings later.

Though not factoring into the conference standings, Sunday's loss capped a disappointing weekend for the Lightning, who saw its hopes at qualifying for the CUNYAC Championships severely damaged. With only one conference series remaining against Baruch next weekend, the Lightning must handle the Bearcats and hope for the College of Staten Island and John Jay to topple the Beavers in their conference matchups.

Before Saturday's crucial showdown with Baruch, the Lightning will take on visiting SUNY Purchase on Wednesday evening on the South Field.