Long Island Comes Back to Defeat CCSU in 10 Innings, 7-6

(Box Score)

5/18/07 -- The Long Island University baseball team overcame a 6-2 deficit to force extra innings and eventually defeat Central Connecticut State, 7-6, in 10 innings in the first game of a four-game Northeast Conference series. Freshman catcher Chris Kievit (Wayne, N.J.) worked a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 10th off Blue Devils closer Evan Scribner to allow the winning run to waltz home.

Long Island (13-35, 7-17 NEC) got to the flame-throwing Scribner in the bottom of the ninth. With the Blackbirds down to their last out, senior Marcus Wynn (Plainfield, N.J.) singled to bring up first baseman Orlando Cruz (White Plains, N.Y.). Cruz launched the first pitch he hit to straightaway center field, the deepest part of the park. The ball short-hopped the fence an estimated 460 feet from the plate. Wynn came around third but stumbled just in front of the plate just as Cruz was heading for third. Wynn was able to touch home right before Cruz was thrown out for the final out attempting his first career triple.

Scribner found more trouble in the 10th when he faced sophomore Anthony Amatucci (Toms River, N.J.), who came on as a defensive replacement when Robby Rowen (Rosendale, N.Y.) moved to the mound from right field. Amatucci laced a double down the right-field line. Scribner appeared to have Amatucci picked off of second base before his next pitch, but his throw went wide and Amatucci advanced to third. With no one out, Central Connecticut (23-21, 14-11) opted to intentionally walk the next two batters to load the bases and set up Kievit’s dramatic base-on-balls.

Cruz, who finished 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs, also flashed some leather in a rare start at first base. With no one out and a runner on first in the top of the ninth and the Blue Devils in need of an insurance run, reliever John Dooley (Deer Park, N.Y.) got designated hitter Jay Schillaci to pop up toward first base as Jak Kidd attempted a steal on a hit-and-run. Cruz camped out under the ball as it came down right near the bag and, in a continuous motion, caught the ball and swiped Kidd, who was racing back to first, for an unassisted double play.

Long Island freshman starter James Jones (Brooklyn, N.Y.) pitched well but fell victim to several bloop hits. In six innings he allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and four walks but struck out eight.

The teams will continue their series with a doubleheader on Saturday, May 19 at noon. Senior Day ceremonies will be held between games.