Shirley, N.Y. - ECC Rookie of the Year, Chris Cepeda, pitched the Golden Lions to a 4-3 win over the University of Bridgeport this afternoon at Golden Lions Field to advance to the ECC Championship final game.
Dowling (26-22) out hit the Purple Knights (25-21-1) 13 to 6 with strong showings from sophomore Tim Going, 4 for 5, sophomore Robert Morse, 3 for 4 and senior Chris Appell 3 for 4.
The Golden Lions opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the third. Appell got things going with a single up the middle was came home when Tim Going blasted a triple to the right center gap. Designated hitter Kenneth Fils-Aime followed with an RBI single up the middle for a 2-0 Dowling lead. Senior RJ Going was hit by a pitch putting two runners on and two batters later, Morse singled through the left side and Fils-Aime beat the throw to the plate extending the lead to 3-0.
Cepeda retired the next nine batters he faced and the Golden Lions pushed their lead to 4-0 with a run in the top of the sixth. Junior Tyler Piccolo led off the inning with an infield hit and was moved into scoring position on a sac bunt by Vinny Orlando. Appell came up and pulled one through the right side bringing Piccolo home.
The Purple Knights would not go quietly as they broke up the shut out in the bottom of the eighth. Justin Carey led off the inning with a triple to right center and was pushed across on a ground out to the right side by Jose Negron.
After the Golden Lions went down in order in the top half of the ninth, Bridgeport made things interesting when Alec Jannotta singled to center with one out before Alnaydo Rodriguez blasted a two run shot to right bringing the Purple Knights to within one, but Cepeda got the next two batters to fly out to right securing the 4-3 win.
Cepeda improves to 7-0 on the season allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts in a complete game effort.
Dowling will face the winner of the University of Bridgeport and Molloy College in tomorrow in the Championship game. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.
Provided by the Dowling Sports Information Department.
