STEVENSON, MD --- Down ten runs, the City College of New York baseball team stormed back to claim victory at Stevenson University on Thursday night. The Beavers of CCNY improve to 8-6 while the Mustangs of Stevenson drop to 11-12-2.
CCNY senior right fielder and pitcher Yoribaldis Olivo went two-for-four with an RBI, three runs scored and a walk at the plate, then picked up the win on the mound as he did not allow an earned run in the eighth and ninth innings.
The host Mustangs cruised through the first five innings, taking the lead in the second with two runs, adding three in the fourth and five more in the bottom of the fifth.
The Beavers finally broke through in the top of the sixth, when senior centerfielder Bobby McDowell doubled to left-center to drive in Olivo. After a Stevenson error prolonged the inning, sophomore shortstop Jhosse Estrella hit an RBI single to allow McDowell to score. Finally, sophomore first baseman Adrian Pena drove in his brother, senior third baseman Gabriel Pena, and City was in business despite being down 10-3.
Down 12-3 in the top of the eighth, the CCNY offense exploded for an incredible nine runs. Eight of the nine Beavers in the lineup reached base as City tied the game. Estrella, McDowell, Gabriel Pena and freshman catcher Nazar Aprahamian all had RBI base-hits, while the Beavers drew six walks including two with the bases loaded.
With the score tied 12-12 going into the bottom of the eighth, CCNY's brilliant rally seemed to fizzle when Stevenson sophomore second baseman Joe Bentz scored from third off a failed pickoff throw from the pitcher, as the Mustangs took the go-ahead run.
Once again needing a miracle, Olivo came to the plate with one out and runners on first and second. The senior singled to left field, and a Stevenson throwing error allowed the tying run to cross home plate with runners on second and third. After a walk, Gabriel Pena came to the plate with the bases loaded and singled to right for the eventual winning run. Olivo did not allow a hit in the ninth and the Beavers escaped with the victory.
McDowell went two-for-four with two walks and three RBI. Gabriel Pena also drove in three runs.
Stevenson junior pitcher Ryan Martin went six innings, blanking City for the first five. Martin struck out five and gave up just one earned run.
The Beavers will look to ride the wave of momentum on Saturday when they play Baruch College in a CUNYAC double-header at Bronx Community College. Game one begins at 12:00 p.m.