#1 Cortland State - 4, #2 Farmingdale State - 2

Farmingdale, N.Y. - The Farmingdale State baseball team lost their first game of the tournament as they fell, 4-2, to Cortland State this afternoon in the NCAA Division III Farmingdale Baseball Regional. The Rams (31-11) will play the winner of the #3 Ithaca / #6 Castleton State game this evening at 7:00 p.m., while the Red Dragons (36-7-1) advance to the championship game tomorrow.

Cortland State took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI double to left center by junior designated hitter Andrew Pezzuto (Hastings, N.Y.) which scored junior Brian Barry (Smithtown, N.Y.).

In the top of the third inning, freshman second baseman Thomas Rydzewski (Franklin Square, N.Y.) hit a one out single to left field and advanced to second base on the throw home. Freshman shortstop Anthony Alvino (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) tied the game at 1-1 on an RBI single up the middle before being thrown out trying to reach second base.

The Red Dragons led off the fourth inning with a double down the left field line by sophomore catcher Tim Panetta (Mount Kisco, N.Y.). He advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and later scored on a sac fly to left field by junior third baseman Bryan Mistretta (Commack, N.Y.).

Cortland State increased their lead to 3-1 in the next inning on a two out throwing error by the Rams which scored sophomore first baseman Max Rossing (Rockville Centre, N.Y.). Junior center fielder Michael LaTempa (LaGrangeville, N.Y.), who reached third base on the error, later scored on a wild pitch to put the Red Dragons ahead 4-1.

Sophomore center fielder Edward Bergmann (East Meadow, N.Y.) led off the top of the eighth with a single to right field. Bergmann advanced to second on a groundout and reached third base on a single to left by Alvino. In the Rams next at-bat, Alvino was thrown out attempting to steal second and Bergmann advanced home to cut the deficit to 4-2. A Mike Marino (Franklin Square, N.Y.) walk and back-to-back singles by junior catcher Eric Wiener (Deer Park, N.Y.) and senior third baseman Ryan McAllister (Miller Place, N.Y.) loaded the bases with two outs. Cortland State forced a fly out to center to end the threat and secure a 4-2 lead.

Farmingdale State was unable to score in the ninth and fell 4-2.

The Rams were led by Alvino who was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while junior left fielder David Zilnicki (Riverhead, N.Y.) had two hits in four at-bats.

Cortland State junior pitcher Mike Hughes (Albany, N.Y.) improved to 8-2 on the season after throwing 7.2 innings allowing two runs. Senior Brendan Hourihan (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) earned the save (3) after 1.1 scoreless innings of relief.

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