Bronx, NY - The John Jay baseball team mounted a gritty late-inning rally but could not complete the comeback, falling 4–3 to CCNY in CUNYAC action on Monday evening at Houlihan Park.
A go-ahead RBI double in the eighth inning proved to be the difference in a tightly contested matchup defined by pitching and timely execution.
With the loss, the Bloodhounds drop to 1-29 overall (0-7 CUNYAC), while the Beavers improve to 12-15 (5-2 CUNYAC).
John Jay struck first in the bottom of the opening frame.
Jose Suero singled and swiped second before
Sebastian Sanchez delivered a clutch RBI triple to right-center, giving the Bloodhounds a 1–0 advantage .
That would be all the offense for either side through the first four innings, as both starting pitchers settled in. John Jay's
Danny Opramolla was particularly effective, limiting CCNY to just one hit through four scoreless frames while working around traffic with five walks.
The Beavers broke through in the fifth inning, taking advantage of defensive miscues to plate two runs. With runners in scoring position, a throwing error and a wild pitch allowed both runs to score, giving CCNY a 2–1 lead.
CCNY added another unearned run in the sixth when Gerard Molinaro reached and later scored on a play that began with an error, extending the lead to 3–1.
Despite allowing just one hit through six innings, John Jay found itself trailing due to defensive lapses.
The Bloodhounds showed resilience in the seventh, capitalizing on patience at the plate. After loading the bases with one out,
Matthew Apostolou drew a walk to bring home a run. Moments later,
Jaxen Gangwish followed with another bases-loaded walk, tying the game at 3–3.
CCNY responded in the eighth inning. With one out, Erik Rank reached base and advanced before Rich Cirigliano delivered a clutch RBI double to center field, scoring the go-ahead run and putting the Beavers back in front, 4–3.
John Jay threatened in the bottom half, putting the tying run in scoring position, but CCNY's bullpen held firm to secure the victory.
Sanchez finished 2 for 3 with a triple and an RBI.
Jose Suero went 1 for 4 with a run scored and a stolen base.
Alex Daly went 1 for 1 off the bench while Apostolou and Gangwish each added an RBI walk to mount the comeback.
Opramolla tossed six innings and carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning before giving up three runs (one earned), walking five, and striking out three.
Julio Reyes took the loss in relief of Opramolla.
Cirigliano and Brenner each went 1 for 4, with Cirigliano producing the go-ahead double. Bausenwein earned the start, throwing six innings with five strikeouts. Samuel Puttock earned the win in relief of Bausenwein.
John Jay will be back in action on Wednesday, April 22 as they will take on Old Westbury in a non-conference twinbill beginning at 3:30 p.m.
