MOOSIC, PA. – Senior John Adornetto (Commack) singled home the winning run in the top of the ninth inning and head coach Joe Brown won his 500th career game as nationally seventh-ranked Cortland defeated Misericordia University, 2-1, in a non-league game at PNC Field.
The Red Dragons improved to 21-8 with the victory, while the Cougars are now 22-8. Brown's record in 14 seasons as a head coach, all at Cortland, is 500-139-3 for a .781 winning percentage.
Cortland's winning rally started with a Tim Panetta (Mount Kisco/Fox Lane) two-out walk. Pinch hitter Bryan Mistretta (Commack) was hit by a pitch and Adornetto followed with a single to short left field to drive in Panetta.
Cortland took a 1-0 lead in the third when Adornetto singled with one out, stole second with two outs and scored on Max Rosing's (Rockville Centre/South Side) RBI single up the middle.
The Cougars tied the game in the sixth. Mike Impellittiere drew a leadoff walk and pinch runner Bryce Frankenfield took second on a Joe Tagliarini bunt single. Ryan Cacchioli's sacrifice moved the runners to second and third and Frankenfield scored on a Paul Shepherd squeeze bunt.
Both starters pitched well but earned no-decisions. Cortland freshman Brandon Serio (Bedford Hills/Fox Lane) allowed three hits and no runs in five innings. He struck out five and walked two. Misericordia starter Evan Robaczewski gave up four hits and one run in six frames. He struck out nine batters and walked one.
Junior Steven Kimmelman (Riverhead) earned the win with two and two-thirds innings of one-hit relief. He walked one, struck out four and did not allow any runs. Junior Cody Petre (Silver Springs/Letchworth) earned his third save of the season with a scoreless ninth. He hit a batter with one out and, following a fielder's choice, gave up a two-out single to Andrew Tressa, but struck out the next batter to end the game.
Adornetto finished 2-for-4 with a walk, RBI and run scored for Cortland. Cacchioli was 2-for-3 for Misericordia.
Cortland will play a SUNYAC doubleheader at Oswego on Tuesday, April 16, at noon.