April 6, 2006
NEW YORK, N.Y. - With the game tied 7-7 in the bottom of the 14th inning, senior Marc Gold hit an RBI single to left field to win the game for Columbia, defeating Monmouth 8-7.
With a 0-2 count and sophomore Henry Perkins on third after a lead-off triple, Gold hit a hard single down the left field line winning the game for the Lions.
Monmouth got on the board in the first inning as the Hawks combined for three hits to score two runs. Monmouth went up 5-0 in the top of the third, scoring three runs on four hits. This didn't stop the Lions, however, as they combined for four hits to come within one run of the lead.
First-year Spencer Silverstein led off the inning with a single through the left side. Fellow first-year Brett Joss hit a ball up the middle to the pitcher, who tried to get Silverstein at second, but missed the bag. Senior Andrew Hooker then bunted his way on, loading the bases. First-year Kyle Roberts scored the first run, hitting a single to the right side, scoring Silverstein. Perkins then hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Joss. With two outs, junior Craig Rodwogin hit a double to score two more runs, ending the inning with the Lions behind, 5-4.
Columbia remained one run behind until the bottom of the ninth inning when they were able to pull off the comeback and score one run to tie the game and send it into extra innings. Monmouth brought in their closer, Kevin Schneider and sophomore Noah Cooper led off the inning with a double. Roberts then grounded out to the right side, moving Cooper over to third. Perkins then hit a shallow fly ball to left field which was enough for Cooper to come safely home for the tie.
The next three innings remained scoreless, but Monmouth was able to pick up some steam in the top of the 13th inning, scoring two runs on a home run from Nick Massari.
But the Lions pulled off another comeback, scoring two runs themselves in the bottom half of the inning to keep playing. With one out, sophomore Mike Malfettone singled up the middle. First-year Joey Mizzoni pinch ran for Malfettone and Silverstein moved him over to second with another single. The two moved over to second and third on a ground out from junior Thomas Stevens. Mizzoni then scored on a wild pitch to put the Lions within one run and then Cooper hit a single to centerfield to score Silverstein and push the game into the final 14th inning.
First-year Mike Roberts posted the win for Columbia, pitching one inning, allowing one hit. Both Hooker and Cooper with 2-for-3 with Cooper having one RBI and both Rodwogin and Perkins both had two RBI, with Perkins having two hits.
The Lions face Dartmouth on Saturday, April 8th in Hanover, N.H. at noon.
