ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. - The Caldwell College baseball team recorded 16 hits, three each by freshman Gabriel Molina (Bronx, NY/Monroe) and sophomore Ray Keelan (Barnegat, NJ/Southern Regional), in a 10-4 victory over Molloy College Tuesday afternoon at Lions Field. The victory is Caldwell's second of the season over Molloy and gives the Cougars an overall record of 23-14 on the season. The Lions, who are ranked fourth in the latest NCBWA Northeast Region Poll, one spot ahead of Caldwell, drop to 24-15.
Chris Irwin's run-scoring single in the bottom of the first gave Molloy a 1-0 lead. But the Cougars took control of the game with four runs in the third and three more in the fourth for a 7-1 advantage. Keelan hit a solo home run, his seventh of the season, while Molina, senior Chris Chiarappa (Elmont, NY/Holy Trinity) and junior Jorge Torres (Coral Springs, FL/Taravella) each had RBIs in the third. In the fourth inning, sophomore Omar Velazquez (Astoria, NY/Long Island City) came home on an error, then Molina hit a two-run double for a 7-1 lead.
The Lions cut into the lead with three runs, including two on a single by Patrick Walsh, that made the score 7-4 Caldwell. But the Cougars scored a run in each of the final three innings to secure the victory. Sophomore Doug Hilgenberg (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) doubled home a run in the seventh, then freshman Edgar Santos (Woodside, NY/Bryant) and sophomore Adric Saxon (Coral Springs, FL/Broward CC) each had RBI singles in the eighth and ninth, respectively.
Keelan started the game on the mound and worked 5 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four to improve to 3-0 on the season. Sophomore Buddy Riggs (Coral Springs, FL/Taravella) finished the game and did not allow a run in 3 1/3 innings. Molloy starter Eric Williams lasted 2 1/3 innings and took the loss after giving up four runs on six hits.
The Cougars host Nyack College in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game on Thursday, Apr. 24. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Smith Field in Parsippany, N.J.
