Shirley, N.Y. - The Dowling College baseball team captures its first East Coast Conference Championship since 2012, downing the University of Bridgeport by a score of 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Golden Lions Field.
Third baseman Vinny Orlando recorded the first hit of the game in the bottom of the third and moved into scoring position when junior Rob Costanzo drew a four-pitch walk. Sophomore Tim Going came up with a single to left scoring Orlando for a 1-0 Golden Lion lead.
Dowling starter Mike Jeannetti worked around a couple base runners in the top half of the fourth getting the designated hitter Brian Kondor to go down looking ending the UB threat.
Golden Lions gave themselves some breathing room pushing across two runs in the bottom half of the fourth. Sophomore Bobby Morse legged out a one out double down the left field line and was followed by a single to short right field by junior Tyler Piccolo. Orlando belted his second hit of the day bringing in Morse before Costanzo drew another walk to push Piccolo across for a 3-0 lead.
Jeannetti silenced the Purple Knights until the top of the ninth when UB's third baseman Alnaydo Rodriguez belted his fourth home run of the tournament for the Purple Knights' first run of the game. Alec Jannotta and Bryan Kondor followed with back-to-back doubles to bring the visitors within one. But reliever Cody McPartland ended the threat with a strike out and a groundout to second that Rob Costanzo made a great diving play up the middle, just throwing Justin Carey out at first by half of a step.
Orlando led the way offensively going 3-for-4 at the dish with an RBI and a run scored, while Piccolo added a 2-for-3 performance with a run scored.
Jeannetti earned the win on the mound, tossing 8.1 innings. He scattered six hits, four walks, and seven strikeouts while allowing two runs. McPartland closed out the game for his first save of the year, allowing one hit while fanning one.
The Golden Lions await their seeding for the NCAA Division II Baseball Championships. The selection show will take place Sunday at 10 p.m.
Provided by the Dowling Sports Information Department.
