Hoboken, N.J. – Trailing 4-2 heading into the ninth inning, the College of Mount Saint Vincent Baseball team plated five runs to pick up a 7-5 come-from-behind victory at Stevens on Saturday afternoon. Seven different players picked up a hit for the Dolphins and junior Anthony Mongelli (Flushing, N.Y.) worked 6.1 strong innings in his first start of the season.
After the Ducks took an early 1-0 lead on Saturday, the Mount strung together four hits to pick up two runs in its half of the fourth inning. James Labartino (Holbrook, N.Y.) led of the frame with a double and later scored on a John McManus (Bayside, N.Y.) single. Later in the frame freshman Josh Sharpe (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) drove home McManus with his first of two hits on the afternoon.
After gaining the slim advantage, Mongelli settled in and allowed just two hits heading into the home half of the seventh. In the seventh, Stevens plated three runs after chasing the junior right hander with one out in the inning. Stevens went on to collected four hits in the stanza, with Russ Grimes delivering the big blow with a two run single with two outs.
Stevens would hang on to the two run lead until the Mount quickly put a rally together in its final at-bat of the afternoon. The first four batters of the inning reached for the Dolphins, with Labartino driving in a run with a single and Mike Pope (Massapequa, N.Y.) sending home the tying run with a sacrifice fly.
With the score tied the Dolphins kept the pressure on and picked up the go ahead run on a single from junior Mark Sargente (Commack, N.Y.). Leading 5-4, the Dolphins then got two important insurance runs on a two run base hit from Fernando Suriel (Yonkers, N.Y.) to push Mount Saint Vincent in front 7-4.
In the home half of the ninth, Stevens quickly got the tying run to the plate after the first two hitters reached. Grimes would end up driving home a run with two outs in the inning, but the Ducks would have two runners cut down in the inning. Labartino threw out Corey Linden at third to end the game for his second assist of the afternoon.
The first seven hitters in the Mount Saint Vincent lineup each picked up a hit on the day, with Labartino, Pope, Sargente and Sharpe each collecting a pair of safeties. Five of the first six hitters also drove in a run for the Mount, with Suriel leading the way with his two RBI, including the game winner. Labartino and McManus each scored a pair of runs for the Dolphins.
Stevens had three players record at least two hits on the afternoon, with Grimes going 4-for-5 with three RBI. Linden went 3-for-5 for the Ducks with a run scored and a pair driven in, while Tom Phillips scored twice.
Mongelli took a no decision for Mount Saint Vincent after going 6.1 innings in his season debut. He allowed two runs on five hits and fanned five for the Dolphins. Brian Rush (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) earned the win in relief after working 2.0 innings and allowing one run on four hits.
The win evens Mount Saint Vincent's overall record at 1-1 on the season. After Sunday's game was postponed due to poor field conditions, the Dolphins will be back in action again on March 4 when they play host to Ithaca. First pitch at Baseball Heaven in Yaphank, N.Y. is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.