Myrtle Beach, S.C. – The Molloy baseball team began the Northeast Challenge with a doubleheader split against the Purple Knights of Bridgeport (10-2 and 4-6) Friday afternoon on Griffith Field at the Ripkin Experience. Following the result, the Lions move to 3-2 on the campaign while the Purple Knights move to 1-1.

Game One: Molloy 10, Bridgeport 2

• Bridgeport opened the contest with an RBI double give themselves a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.
• In the bottom of the frame, senior Sean Welsh got the run right back with a solo home run to knot the contest at one.
• Molloy exploded for a six-run bottom of the second to pull ahead, 7-1. The scoring began when junior Joe Burriesci sent a two-run home run over the right center field fence. Later in the frame, a pair of runners would cross the plate after junior Mike Sweeney and senior Sean Serrano brought home a run each following a hit-by-pitch.
• The six-run inning was capped by senior Jack Coogan who singled up the middle to plate two runs.
• The scoring continued in the third for the Lions as Serrano brought in a pair of runs with a single to right field to increase the lead, 9-1.
• After Bridgeport saw one cross the plate in the top of the fifth, the Lions' bats were held in check until the bottom of the eighth. Sophomore Steve Mulqueen tucked a double down the left field line to score Welsh to open a 10-2 lead.
• The cardinal and white would see three shut out innings from the bullpen as sophomore Ziggy Cohen and freshman Jason Torres would go on to complete the victory, 10-2.
• Junior James Sill picked up his first win of the season, tossing six innings allowing two unearned runs on five hits and striking out eight.
• Welsh hit his third home run of the season as part of a three-hit day and drove in two.
• Burriesci connected for his first career home run and knocked in two runs.
• Coogan collected two hits and two RBI and Serrano totaled three RBI.

Game Two: Molloy 4, Bridgeport 6

• After a scoreless first inning, the Purple Knights put together a four-run bottom of the second on the back of four hits to take a 4-0 lead.
• The Lions had their first run of the contest cross the plate in the top of the third after Serrano doubled home Sweeney to cut the deficit to three, 4-1.
• Bridgeport answered in the bottom of the inning, adding a two-run home run to open their lead to five, 6-1.
• Molloy cut the deficit to two, 6-4, in the top of the fifth. Sweeney roped a single into center field that brought in junior Anthony Marsillo and freshman Ryan Langner and came around to score following a triple from Serrano.
• The cardinal and white would be set down in order in the sixth and seventh as Bridgeport went on to secure the game two victory, 6-4.
• Sweeney and Serrano collected two hits and two RBI each.
• Mileti made his first career start surrendering six runs on six hits in four innings of work.
• Junior Thomas Charlwood tossed two innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out three.

Up Next
The Lions return to the Ripkin Experience Saturday, February 21 for a matchup against Franklin Pierce. First-pitch is set for 11:00 a.m.