Auburndale, FL: The Ramapo College baseball team used a three run 8th inning to regain the lead as the Roadrunners defeated Washington & Jefferson College, 9-6. The Roadrunners improve to 6-4 overall while the Presidents now stand at 4-7 on the year.
W&J scored a run in the top of the first before Ramapo took a 4-1 lead with four runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Tyler Guadagno doubled and
Zach Novakowski singled to put runners on the corners before
Jack Tallent drove in Guadagno to tie the game, 1-1.
Zack Bailey worked a walk to load the bases before
John Higgins poked a single through the right side of the infield which plated two RBI, 3-1. Bailey later scored on a wild pitch to push the score to 4-1. In the second, Novakowski drew a walk, advanced to third on a single and later scored on a Bailey RBI single to center field, 5-1. Ramapo added one more run in the bottom of the third. With one out,
Matt Lalomia reached on an error, stole second and advanced to third on a single down the right field line off the bat of
Will Egner. The relay throw in from the outfield got away from the W&J defense which allowed Lalomia to cross home plate, 6-1.
The Presidents got two back in the top of the fifth before adding two more in the seventh on a two-run home run from Josh Dezenzo. Down just one run in the top of the eighth, W&J would tie the game with one run, 6-6. Ramapo responded in the bottom half of the inning with three runs. With one out pinch-hitter
Robert Klawans walked before
Christian Alonso put down a sac bunt to move him to second. Tyler Guadango was intentionally walked before Novakowski belted a triple off the wall in right field to plate the go-ahead runs, 8-6. Pinch-runners
TJ Roman replaced Novakowski at third base before Tallent plated the insurance run for a 9-6 score.
Will Paoli would enter in relief for the Roadrunners in the top of the ninth on the mound. Paoli induced a strikeout looking as the first out before surrendering an infield single. The Ramapo defense then turned a 4-6-3 double play to end the game and secure the 9-6 victory. Paoli earned the save, his first of the season, which tied the career saves record at Ramapo with 11.
Gerard Chiricolo (1-1) earned his first career win on the mound for the Roadrunners. Chiricolo came into the game with two outs in the top of the eighth and induced a flyout to end the inning.
Dominick Ciani started on the mound for Ramapo and earned a no-decision. He struck out six, walked four and surrendered three runs (two earned) on three hits in 4.2 innings of work.
At the plate for the Roadrunners, Tallent finished 4-5 with two RBI and one run scored while Novakowski finished 3-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Guadagno and Higgins each collected two hits while Higgins drove in two RBI.
The Roadrunners return to action tomorrow afternoon when they take on New York University at 1:00 PM at Lake Myrtle Park Field #6.
