STORY BY CUNYAC

In Game Two of the CUNYAC/MCU Baseball Championship, #2 seeded Baruch Bearcats defeated the #3 Lehman Lightning, 5-1.

The Bearcats were awarded the two seed after going 8-4 in the conference and 18-16 overall. The Lightning went 6-6 in the conference as well as 13-13 overall. During the regular season, Baruch swept Lehman, 7-2 and 15-1.
 
Lehman got on the board in the top of the first inning when Kevin Hernandez led off the game with a single to right center. He later advanced to third on two Baruch errors. Michael Liang drove Hernandez in with an RBI single to give Lehman an early 1-0 lead.
 
However, the Bearcats responded in the bottom half of the inning. Matthew Ballone started the rally by leading off with a single. Nicholas Pomo-Romanthen singled and a fielding error by the Lightning gave the Bearcats second and third. Angel Tejedafollowed with an RBI groundout and with two outs, John Yuksekolhit an RBI single through the right side to give Baruch a 2-1 lead after one.
 
After the first, Baruch's starting pitcher Andrew Lizardiand Lehman's starter Wilfredo Gonzalez threw four and a half shutout innings.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Bearcats added two runs thanks to a double by Pomo-Roman, a balk with a runner on third and an RBI single by Tejada. Baruch now led 3-1.
 
The Bearcats added two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to increase the lead to four. In the final inning, Lehman loaded the bases with two outs but Lizardi got a groundout to end the game.
 
"We got the job done," head coach Jose Torres said. "Lizardi threw a great game for us and we were able to get a few key hits."
 
Lizardi threw a complete game, allowing five hits, one run, one walk and struck out four. Lehman's Gonzalez threw 7 innings and gave up nine hits and five runs.
 
"I just tried throwing strikes and hitting my spots," said Lizardi. "I rely on my defense and we made key plays in the field."
 
Baruch will now face Staten Island in Game Four at 4:00 pm on Tuesday. Lehman will face off against John Jay in an elimination game at 1:00 pm.

MONDAY, MAY 6 (DAY 1)

Game 1: #1 Staten Island defeated #4 John Jay, 3-2 (10 innings)
Game 2: #2 Baruch defeated #3 Lehman, 5-1          

TUESDAY, MAY 7 (DAY 2)

Game 3: John Jay vs. Lehman, 1:00 pm                 

Game 4: Staten Island vs. Baruch, 4:00 pm

Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 7:00 pm                   

FRIDAY, MAY 10 (DAY 3)

Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 4:00 pm (If winner of game 4 wins then they are the champions –otherwise move to …

Game 7: Same as Game 6 (If necessary), 7:00 pm