MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - After a tough opening day, the Caldwell College baseball team picked a couple victories on the second day of the Northeast Challenge at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Sophomore outfielder Adric Saxon (Coral Springs, FL/Broward CC) drove in six runs with a home run and two doubles to lead the Cougars past Molloy College, 8-3. Three hits from freshman catcher Gabriel Molina (Bronx, NY/Monroe) and a solid pitching performance by freshman Michael Hinchliffe (Erial, NJ/Timber Creek) in his first collegiate appearance lifted Caldwell past Queens College, 7-1. The Cougars are now 2-2 on the season.
Caldwell, which scored just four runs combined in two losses on Friday, wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard against Molloy, scoring five runs in its first 12 at-bats. Saxon belted a long three-run home run to left centerfield, his first of the season, in the first inning, then drove in two runs with a bases-loaded double in the second to put Caldwell ahead 5-0. Later in the second, Molina's sacrifice fly plated senior catcher Chris Chiarappa (Elmont, NY/Holy Trinity) for a 6-0 advantage. In the fourth, Saxon double again, scoring sophomore Omar Velazquez (Astoria, NY/Long Island City). Molina later doubled home sophomore Ray Keelan (Barnegat, NJ/Southern Regional) for an 8-0 lead.
Junior right-hander Eric Hines (Milltown, NJ/Spotswood), pictured, was dominant in his first start, allowing four hits and three runs, one earned, while striking out six in 7 2/3 innings.
Against Queens, the Cougars got on the board in the top of the fourth inning. Saxon led off with a single and eventually scored on a throwing error for the game's first run. Molina singled home Keelan, then scored on a squeeze bunt executed by freshman infielder Juan Mejia (Ocean City, NJ/St. Augustine Prep) for a 3-0 Caldwell lead. In the sixth, Keelan scored on a double by junior outfielder Jorge Torres (Coral Springs, FL/Taravella) to put Caldwell ahead 4-0.
Meanwhile, Hinchliffe is limiting the Knights to just three hits and no runs through six innings. In the bottom of the seventh, Queens loads the bases with two out and scores its first run on a single by Ed Hackimer. Sophomore pitcher Buddy Riggs (Coral Springs, FL/Taravella) came on in relief and struck out Jovan Santos to end the inning. The Cougars put three more runs on the board in the top of the ninth, including a double by Molina that scored Keelan. Sophomore Jon Irwin (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) singled home Molina for the game's final run.
Hinchliffe allowed just one run on six hits while striking out seven in 6 2/3 innings in his first collegiate start. Riggs retired all seven batters he faced for his first save of the season.
Caldwell completes play at the Northeast Challenge with a game against Mercy College on Sunday, Feb. 24. The first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
