Baseball Rallies For Four Runs In The Top Of The Ninth To Defeat Dowling, 8-7

Brookhaven, N.Y.-Trailing 7-4 heading to the top of the ninth inning, the visiting University of Bridgeport Purple Knights staged their biggest comeback of the 2011 season scoring four runs without a hit to post an 8-7 win over the host Dowling College Golden Lions in the opening game of a five-game East Coast Conference on Wednesday afternoon.  With the win, UB is now 17-8 overall and 10-5 in the ECC.  Dowling falls to 15-18 overall and 11-9 in conference play.

After three walks loaded the bases to open the top of the ninth, senior Gaetano Giunta (Brooklyn, N.Y.) drew a walk and junior Matt Nassi (N. Providence, R.I.) was hit by a pitch to make the score, 7-6.  Senior Peter Barrows (Old Saybrook, Conn.) tied the score at seven with a sacrifice fly, and junior Eric Schlitter (Guilford, Conn.) plated what proved to be the game-winning run with another sacrifice fly.

The Purple Knights' ninth inning heroics made a winner of sophomore Alex Riley (Baldwinsville, N.Y.), who worked two scoreless innings of relief.  Junior Matt Barolomei (Stratford, Conn.) worked a perfect ninth inning to notch his fourth save of the season.

Freshman John Ascenzia (West Haven, Conn.) had two hits for Bridgeport on the day.

The Purple Knights and the Golden Lions will continue their ECC series with a doubleheader on Friday at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard.  Action is set to get underway at 2:00 p.m.