Uniondale, N.Y. – Junior
JC Kiss retired the final 22 batters to bring the Molloy baseball team within one win of the NCAA East Super Regional, as the Lions went on to defeat the Lightning of Goldey-Beacom College, 5-0, Friday afternoon at Mitchel Field. Molloy improves to 41-12 on the campaign, while the Lightning move to 34-20 on the season.
41 victories sets a new program record for wins in a season, previously held by the 2022 Molloy squad.
How it Happened
- After a scoreless first inning, Molloy cracked the scoreboard in the top of the second. With the bases loaded junior Patrick Sanchez drove in the game's first run with a sacrifice fly to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.
- The Lions had a second run cross the plate in the inning following a wild pitch to open a 2-0 advantage.
- Goldey-Beacom looked to respond in the bottom of the frame. Following two walks and a double, the Lightning had the bases loaded with two away with reigning CACC Player of the Year Braden Kolmansberger coming to the plate. After falling behind in the count 2-1, Kiss struck out the shortstop to leave three men stranded on base.
- The Lightning didn't know it then, but they would not reach base for the remainder of the contest, as Kiss would set down the lineup in order for the remainder of the game.
- In the top of the sixth, senior Anthony Manisero added to the lead with a single to left field to score senior Gavin McAlonie to increase the lead, 3-0.
- The cardinal and white tacked on two more insurance runs in the top of the eighth. Sophomore Sean Welsh drove in a run with an RBI single and Sanchez drove in his second run of the game with a sacrifice fly to increase its lead to 5-0, where it would stay and clinch the victory.
Top Performances
- Kiss picked up his eighth win of the season, tossing a complete game shutout allowing two hits and striking out five.
- Welsh and Manisero collected two hits and drove in a run each.
- Sanchez drove in a pair of runs.
Up Next
The Lions will play Saturday, May 18 at 3:00 p.m. and await the winner of sixth-seeded Goldey-Beacom and seventh-seeded University of New Haven, that will take place at 12:00 p.m.
