Uniondale, N.Y. – The 16^th ranked Molloy baseball team took game one of its four-game series, 9-3, against the Mavericks of Mercy University at Mitchel Field. The Lions improve to 23-9 overall and 9-3 in East Coast Conference play, while the Mavericks move to 14-20 overall and 4-5 in league play. Graduate student Charlie Cucchiara went the distance Friday afternoon to collect his 10^th career complete game tying a program record.
 
How it Happened

• After a scoreless first inning, Mercy cracked the scoreboard on the back of a solo home run from Jaden Caballero to take a 1-0 lead.
• Molloy wasted no time getting the run right back in the bottom of the frame, freshman Joe Burriesci drove an opposite field single to bring the contest all square, 1-1.
• In the bottom of the third with two outs, senior Matt Yip connected and belted a three-run home run over the left field fence to give the Lions a 4-1 lead.
• Mercy was able to cut the deficit in half, 4-2, in the top of the fourth inning following an RBI double from Justin Glennerster.
• The road team threatened to knot the contest in the fifth with the bases loaded, but Cucchiara fielded a line drive and doubled up the runner at third base to get out of the game to keep the contest at bay.
• The cardinal and white were held without a hit until the bottom of the eighth inning where they would break the game open and rally for five runs on four hits to take a 9-2 lead.
• Senior Anthony Manisero started the scoring in the inning with a two-RBI single into left field, junior Patrick Sanchez drove in a run with a single, and junior JJ DeVito capped the inning with a single to plate two runs.
• The Mavericks would scratch a run across the plate in the ninth, but Cucchiara would finish off the contest and secure the 9-3 victory.

Top Performances

• Cucchiara threw his first complete game of the season allowing three runs, two earned, on nine hits, and struck out eight to improve to 7-0 on the campaign.
• Yip blasted his 10^th home run of the season, drove in three, and scored twice.
• DeVito collected two hits and two RBI.
• Manisero knocked home two runs.
• Sanchez and Burriesci drove in a run each.

Up Next
The Lions continue its series with Mercy Saturday (Apr. 13) playing two games in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. First pitch of the twin bill is set for 12:00 p.m.