Uniondale, N.Y. – For the third time in four seasons, the second-seeded Molloy baseball team reigns as East Coast Conference Champions, topping the first-seeded Saints of D'Youville University, 8-3. Junior JJ DeVito was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, after hitting .500, scoring four runs, driving in four, and hitting one home run. The cardinal and white improved to 39-12 and clinch a spot in the NCAA tournament.
 
How it Happened

• After a scoreless first inning, Molloy used timely hitting and aggressive baserunning to crack the scoreboard in the bottom of the second.
• Sophomore Sean Welsh kicked off the inning with a walk and then used his speed to swipe second base and get to third after the throw got away from the infield.
• Junior Patrick Sanchez stepped into the box and singled into left field to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.
• In the home half of the fourth, the Lions tacked on three runs to take a 4-0 advantage. Freshman Joe Burriesci drove in the first run of the inning with a fielder's choice, Welsh scored on a wild pitch, and DeVito capped the inning with an RBI single.
• The cardinal and white continued to score in the fifth when senior Anthony Manisero belted a home run that just tucked over the left field fence to open a 5-0 lead.
• In the top of the sixth, D'Youville threatened loading the bases with two outs, but senior Ryan Hynes bared down and struck out Alex Dzimian with a curveball to keep the Saints off the board.
• The Lions totaled two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Senior Matt Yip started the scoring with a single to plate DeVito and Manisero doubled to bring in senior Gavin McAlonie, to extend the lead, 7-0.
• Molloy scored its eighth consecutive run in the seventh when DeVito knocked home Sanchez.
• The Saints would plate three runs in the eighth off a pair of doubles to cut the deficit to five, 8-3.
• After a leadoff double in the top of the ninth, senior Timmy Mott would set the side down in order, to clinch the 8-3 victory and the ECC title.

 
Top Performances

• Sanchez collected three hits, one RBI and one run scored.
• Manisero homered, scored two runs, and drove in two.
• DeVito tallied two runs, two RBI, and one run scored.
• Senior Ryan Hynes was masterful on the mound, tossing 7.1 scoreless innings while allowing six hits and striking out six to improve to 10-1 on the campaign.

Up Next
The Lions earned a berth to the NCAA East Regional. The selection show will air Sunday (May 12 at 10:30 p.m. on NCAA.com. Check molloylions.com to stay up to date on the opponent and time of the contest.