MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Feb. 24, 2017) – The Molloy baseball team held a 3-1 lead against Wilmington University headed into the eighth inning in the team's first game at the Northeast Challenge at the Ripkin Polo Grounds. The Wildcats posted five runs over the last two innings to earn a 6-3 victory, improving to 2-0 on the season while the Lions fell to 0-4.
 
The Wildcats struck first, scoring the game's first run in the third inning on an error by shortstop Brian Murphy (Elmont, N.Y.). The senior returned the favor by pushing a single through the right side to score sophomore Ryan Hensley (Franklin Square, N.Y) in the bottom of the fifth. Muphy picked up his second RBI of the day in the bottom of the seventh, singling up the middle to score Jake Saltzman (Old Bethpage, N.Y.). The Molloy lead increased to 3-1 on an RBI single from senior Kevin Podell (Wantagh, N.Y.).
 
Wilmington brought one run across the plate in the top of the eighth to cut the lead to only one run. Four runs in the top of the ninth inning ultimately doomed the Lions, however, as the team was unable to overcome the deficit in the bottom half of the inning and fell 6-3.
 
Murphy led the offense, going 2-for-5 at the dish with two RBIs and a stolen base. Hensley went 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI while Angelo Navetta (Staten Island, N.Y.) went 2-for-4.
 
Senior pitcher Ronald Bauer (Hicksville, N.Y.) went seven innings, striking out five batters in a no decision. Sophomore Lucas Burton (Glendale, N.Y.) was given the loss, falling to 0-1 on the campaign.
 
The Lions take to the field again tomorrow (Feb. 25) as they face Felician University at 10:30 a.m. in the second game of the Northeast Challenge.