The Baruch College Bearcats defeated Lehman College, 5-1, to stay alive in the CUNYAC/MCU Baseball Championship Tournament played on Tuesday at MCU Park in Coney Island.

The day out at the minor league stadium used by the New York Mets affiliate the Brooklyn Cyclones did not begin very well with the Bearcats suffering a 9-3 defeat to top-seeded Staten Island.

The Dolphins (29-11) scored six runs in their first at-bat and kept the Bearcats off the scoreboard until the seventh inning to take control of the winner's bracket game.

The Bearcats finally scored when Angel Tejedaran home untouched on a wild pitch and Daniel Arangosmacked an RBI single to cut the score to 9-2.

Nicholas Pomo-Romanadded an RBI single in the eighth inning, but that was all they could plate in losing 9-3 to fall into the night time loser's bracket game against Lehman.

The Bearcats (19-17) regrouped in the nightcap against Lehman (16-18) and broke open an exciting pitcher's duel of 1-1 in the eighth inning with four runs on two hits to record the 5-1 victory.

John Yuksekolnotched the game-winning RBI with a walk and Philip Loprete(sacrifice fly RBI), Eric Ulino(RBI single) and Daniel Arango(RBI double) all contributed at the plate to force another day three showdown against Staten Island to decide the championship on Friday.

Paul Perezearned his seventh victory with a complete game line of nine innings, six hits, one earned run, no walks and four strikeouts.

The Bearcats on Friday will be seeking their 20th win of the season and need to defeat Staten Island twice to win the championship.

Staten Island, which is seeking to increase their chances of receiving an at-large pool B berth to the NCAA Tournament, need just one win for the championship and their 30th win of the season.

CUNYAC CHAMPIONSHIP - DOUBLE ELIMINATION FORMAT
MONDAY, MAY 6 (DAY 1)

Game 1: #1 Staten Island defeats #4 John Jay, 3-2 (10 innings)

Game 2: #2 Baruch defeats #3 Lehman, 5-1

TUESDAY, MAY 7 (DAY 2)

Game 3: Lehman defeats John Jay, 2-1 (John Jay is eliminated)

Game 4: Staten Island defeats Baruch, 9-3

Game 5: Baruch defeats Lehman, 5-1 (Lehman is eliminated)

FRIDAY, MAY 10 (DAY 3)

Game 6: Staten Island vs. Baruch, 4:00 pm (If Staten Island wins, then they are the champions – otherwise move to …

Game 7: (If necessary, winner takes all), 7:00 pm