RINDGE, N.H. - Two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning allowed Bryant University to defeat the Caldwell College baseball team, 5-4 at the NCAA Division II Northeast Region Tournament Sunday afternoon at Pappas Field. The loss eliminates the Cougars from the regional and ends their season with a record of 34-19. Senior Tommy Murphy (Monroe, NY/Washingtonville) went 4-for-5 with three runs batted in and a home run in his final game as a Cougar.

With the game tied at 3-3 in the eighth inning, Caldwell loaded the bases with a walk and two singles. After a strikeout, Murphy laced a single to right field, scoring freshman Gabriel Molina (Bronx, NY/Monroe) with the go-ahead run. With the bases still loaded and one out, Bryant pitcher Eric Polvani induced an inning-ending double play that kept the Cougars from building on their lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Bulldogs put runners on first and second with nobody out. A throwing error on a sacrifice bunt by Nick Campbell allowed one run to score, but Dylan Stone was thrown out at home by sophomore Doug Hilgenberg (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) to keep the game tied at 4-4. Campbell, who advanced to third on the error, came home with the eventual game-winning run on a single by Pat O'Connor. In the top of the ninth, senior Chris Chiarappa (Elmont, NY/Holy Trinity) hit a one-out single, but Polvani retired the final two batters to clinch the win.

The Cougars scored a run in the top of the first inning on a single down the left field line that brought home Murphy for a 1-0 lead. Bryant answered with three runs in the bottom of the second, including two on a double by Mark Dondero, for a 3-1 advantage. Murphy came through again in the fifth inning, when he followed a single by sophomore Jon Irwin (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) with a two-run homer to left centerfield that tied the game at 3-3. It was Murphy's third home run of the season. The Cougars had opportunities all game but were unable to capitalize, stranding 11 base runners in the game. Chiarappa and sophomores Adric Saxon (Coral Springs, FL/Broward CC) and Andrew Robertson (Coral Springs, FL/Taravella) had two hits apiece for Caldwell.

Sophomore Omar Velazquez (Astoria, NY/Long Island City) pitched a solid game for the Cougars, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out six and walking two in seven innings of work. Sophomore Buddy Riggs (Coral Springs, FL/Taravella) pitched the eighth inning and gave up an unearned run. Bryant starter Dan Lozeau pitched six innings and gave up eight hits and three runs. Polvani tossed two innings of relief and earned the win.

The loss ends the collegiate careers of seniors Murphy, Chiarappa, catcher Ryan Glasco (Manhasset, NY/Manhasset) and infielder Joe Hydro (Flemington, NJ/Immaculata), who helped the Cougars win two Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference regular-season crowns, capture the 2008 CACC Tournament title and make two appearances in the NCAA Northeast Region Tournament.

NCAA Division II Northeast Region Baseball Tournament
Hosted by Franklin Pierce University, Rindge, N.H.
Thursday, May 15
Game 1: No. 1 Franklin Pierce 16, No. 6 C.W. Post 2
Game 2: No. 5 Dowling 7, No. 2 Bryant 6
Game 3: No. 4 Caldwell 3, No. 3 S. Connecticut St. 2
Friday, May 16
Game 4: No. 2 Bryant 10, No. 6 C.W. Post 3
Game 5: No. 1 Franklin Pierce 7, S. Connecticut St. 3
Saturday, May 17
Game 6: No. 4 Caldwell 7, No. 5 Dowling 3
Game 7: No. 1 Franklin Pierce 16, No. 4 Caldwell 4
Game 8: No. 2 Bryant 15, No. 5 Dowling 4
Sunday, May 18
Game 9: No. 2 Bryant 5, No. 4 Caldwell 4
Monday, May 19
Game 10: No. 1 Franklin Pierce vs. No. 2 Bryant, 11:00 p.m.
Game 11: Re-play Game 10 if necessary, 2:30 p.m.