Uniondale, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team attempted to rally back from a six-run deficit in the later innings of Sunday's ECC series finale with Molloy University, but despite scoring putting up five runs over the eighth and ninth innings, the host Lions were able to hold on for a 10-9 victory at Mitchel Field.

STAC slips back to .500 overall at 17-17 and 11-5 in conference action. Meanwhile, Molloy improves to 24-13 and regains sole possession of first place in the ECC standings, by a full game, at 12-4.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Matt Yip opened the scoring for Molloy in the second inning with a solo shot to left field to make it 1-0.
• STAC put four runs on the scoreboard in the fourth inning, as first a Billy Minett sac-fly to left field, scored Nick O'Connor to tie the game at 1-1.
• David Potenza then reached first base via a throwing error by the Lions third baseman, which also allowed Gregory DiGiaro to come to the plate to give STAC its first lead of the day, 2-1.
• An Andrew Jemison 2 RBI single up the middle, scored both Kyle DeCresce and David Potenza to expand the Spartans lead to 4-1.
• In the bottom of the frame, Chris Peralta's 2-run homer to left-centerfield cut the Molloy deficit to 4-3.
• The Lions tied things up a 4-4 on an Aidan Larkin RBI double down the left field line, scoring Anthony Manisero.
• One inning later, Molloy recorded a crooked inning, scoring five runs to take a 9-4 lead. A pair of bases loaded singles by Gavin McAlonie and Chris Peralta, along with an RBI ground out by Anthony Manisero, brought home Robby Keane, JJ DeVito, Garrett Scavelli, McAlonie and Jake McCarthy.
• Anthony Manisero's single to right-centerfield in the seventh inning added to the totals, as JJ Devito scored to make it a 10-4 game.
• St. Thomas Aquinas began to dig itself out of a hole in the eighth, when Andrew Jemison singled down the left field line to score Gregory DiGiaro and make it 10-5. 
• A wild pitch by Molloy reliever Connor Huckemeyer then allowed David Potenza to come to the plate to cut the maroon and gold deficit to four at 10-6.
• The Spartans rally attempt would continue in the ninth. A one-out single by Kyle Lagrutta, followed by a Nick O'Connor hit by pitch, put runners at first and second, and set the table for Gregory DiGiaro to do some damage. Oh boy, did DiGiaro do just that, sending a 3-run shot to left-centerfield to make it a one-run game, 10-9. 
• Following a pitching change by the Lions and the Spartans sending up a pinch hitter in Christopher Conti, the stage was set for STAC to either tie or retake the lead.
• However, things would not go as planned for the maroon and gold, as a Conti popout to second base, then a flyout to right by Kyle DeCresce would end the game and give Molloy the slim margin of victory.

STAC PERFORMANCES:

• Gregory DiGiaro went 3-for-5, with a double, a home run, 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored on the afternoon.
• Kyle Lagrutta (4-for-4) provided an extra base hit for the Spartans.
• STAC also received hits from Andrew Jemison (2-4, 3 RBI), Andrew Guerra (1-4, Walk), Billy Minett (1-3, RBI) and David Potenza (1-4, 2 Runs).
• Orin Winslow got the start for Spartans on Sunday and picked up a no-decision, pitching four and a third innings and allowing 10 hits and four runs, while walking two and striking out three.
• The trio of Matthew Polemeni, Jeremiah Vega and Robert Williams each pitched in relief, combining to allow six hits and six runs over three and two-thirds innings, while walking four Lions batters. Polemeni took the loss (0-1), for surrendering three runs and two walks in two-thirds of an innings worth of work.

FACTS & FIGURES:

• The Spartans posted 9 runs on 12 hits, with 0 errors, while Molloy earned 10 runs on 16 hits, with 1 error.
• STAC pitchers struck out 3 Lions batters, while issuing 6 walks on the day.
• St. Thomas Aquinas stranded 7 runners on base. Meanwhile Molloy left 12 in the contest.

UP NEXT:

STAC opens a five-game series with NE10 opponents, the University of New Haven, on Wednesday, April 19 at Frank Vieira Field. First pitch between the Spartans and Chargers is set for 3:00 p.m in West Haven, Conn.