Niagara Falls, N.Y. - The baseball team began a four-game series at D'Youville University, splitting the opening doubleheader this afternoon at Niagara University's baseball field. The Lions took the first game, 6-4 which saw senior Charlie Cucchiara win his 20th career game, setting him one win shy of tying the all-time wins record. The Saints took the second game, 4-2. Molloy sits at 26-14 on the season and 13-5 in league play after the doubleheader and remains at the top of the East Coast Conference standings.

Game One: Molloy 6, D'Youville 4

• After a walk to junior Garrett Scavelli allowed the Lions to take a 1-0 lead following a double down the left field line from junior Anthony Manisero in the first inning.
• Graduate student Chris Peralta was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning, scoring after back-to-back singles from senior Robby Keane and sophomore JJ DeVito to double Molloy's lead.
• In the following at bat, Scavelli drew a walk to load the bases to set the table for a three-run, two RBI single from junior Gavin McAlonie to make it 5-0.
• The Saints got on the board in the home half of the inning on a solo home run.
• In the bottom of the fifth, two singles, a hit by pitch and a walk helped D'Youville to plate two runs and come within two, 5-3.
• A second solo shot in the seventh brought the game within one.
• Manisero would give the Lions an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning with a sacrifice fly to center field to score Scavelli before senior Richard Gennaro retired the final three Saints in order for his third save of the season.
• McAlonie led with two RBIs while DeVito, Manisero, and Keane each had two hits. Scavelli and Keane combined for five walks on the afternoon.
• Cucchiara sat down five batters through seven innings in the win. Gennaro struck out two in two innings of relief.

Game Two: D'Youville 4, Molloy 2

• Morri hit his second home run of the doubleheader to give the Saints a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
• The Lions fell victim to a second two-run shot in the third inning to fall behind, 4-0.
• Junior Aidan Larkin and graduate student Jake McCarthy singled in the fourth inning before Larkin was brought home on a sacrifice fly from junior Chris Einemann to cut the lead to three runs.
• Larkin and Einemann would start the offense once again in the sixth inning with singles before Keane's outfield single brought Molloy within two, 4-2.
• Redshirt freshman Sean Mileti struck out the Saints in order in the bottom of the sixth to keep the Lions within striking distance.
• A leadoff single from Scavelli in the seventh inning signaled hope for the visitors, but D'Youville was able to hold on for the win.
• Scavelli led with a 3-for-4 day at the plate while Mileti fanned four batters in three innings of relief.

Up Next
Molloy continues the series against the Saints tomorrow (Apr. 22) with a single game scheduled for 12:00 p.m. from Niagara University.