By: By Michael L. Damon
Box Score Box Score
Brooklyn, N.Y. — The John Jay baseball team fell behind twice late, but came back both times as John Jay defeated the City College of New York (CCNY) 12-11 in 10 innings at American Legion Field on Sunday. Down 11-9 in the ninth,
Benjamin Beiro (Bronx, NY, Wesley Chapel) laced a two run homer to tie it. And after falling behind by two runs again in the tenth,
James Podlucky (Staten Island, NY, IMG Academy)capped off a three run frame with a single to score Beiro to complete a three game sweep of the Beavers.
The host Bloodhounds had control of the contest from the outset and led most of the way. But CCNY took their first lead of the game with a five run eighth inning. The Bloodhounds were up 7-4 after seven innings when the Beavers mounted the eighth inning rally to go up 9-7.
CCNY's first four batters reached safely and one run was already in when, with the bases loaded and nobody out, CCNY's
Raymie Fernandez, who was 4-for-5 with three runs and two RBI, lifted a sure sacrifice fly to the outfield that was dropped allowing another runner to score and suddenly the game was tied at 7-7. Moments later after CCNY took the lead, the Bloodhounds averted further damage by turning a 5-4-3 double play to get out of the jam with minimal damage.
John Jay went quietly in the bottom of the eighth, so to did the Beavers in the top of the ninth. But the Bloodhounds wasted no time tying the score in the ninth.
Jason Witten (Staten Island, NY, New Dorp), who was 3-for-5 with three runs and three RBI, drew a leadoff walk. Then Beiro, turned on one that found its way over the left field fence and suddenly the game was tied.
John Jay nearly won the game in the same inning. With one out, senior catcher,
John Polzotto (Auburndale, NY, Bryant), who was 2-for-4 with an RBI, ripped a double to center field before giving way to a pinch runner,
Steven Roman (Middletown, NY, Chapel Field Christian). The next batter,
Edwin Hernandez (Brooklyn, NY, Murry Bergtraum)reached on a fielder's choice to shortstop. But Roman was called out at third on a close play leaving John Jay with two outs and a runner on first. The Bloodhounds eventually loaded the bases before CCNY escaped the jam.
In the tenth inning, CCNY got two runs across to take an 11-9 lead, giving John Jay, once again, a hole to dig out of. But the Bloodhounds, with timely hitting, along with a pair of Beaver errors, scored three runs to secure the win.
John Jay got the scoring started when Beiro reached on an error as Abad, who was hit by the pitch to lead off the inning, scored from third. Then with one out, Hernandez reached first on a botched grounder by the CCNY second baseman, as Witten scored to tie the game. Then the next batter, Podlucky proved to be the final batter of the game when he ripped a single to right center to score Beiro.
John Jay pounded out 15 hits in the win,
Xavier Perez (Bronx, NY, Manhattan Center)was 2-for-4 with a run, while
John Massoni (Staten Island, NY, St. Peter's Boys)was 2-for-5 with two runs and an RBI.
Ludwing Francisco (Santo Domingo, DR, Gregorio Luperon)picked up the win in relief after going 3.0 innings and allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits.
John Jay returns to action on Tue. Apr. 28 at Centenary College at 4 p.m.
