GARDEN CITY, N.Y. The American International baseball team dropped a pair of Northeast-10 divisional games at Adelphi University Thursday afternoon, 8-7 and 10-3.
With the losses AIC falls to 6-13 overall and 1-3 in the Southwest, while the wins propel the Panthers to 9-10 and 4-4 in conference play.
In game one, the Yellow Jackets fell apart late, allowing three runs, including a walk-off double.
Designated hitter Lucas Vallas (East Northport, N.Y.) batted 2-for-4, while Tyler Geffert (Hopedale, Mass.) knocked in two runs. The Panthers outhit AIC 16-12. Right fielder David Kerlejza (Unionville, Conn.) went 2-for-2 from the plate with two RBI's.
Lefty Matt Lee (Stratford, Conn.) got the start, going 6.0 innings, striking out five and allowing four earned. Senior Cam MacDonald suffered the Junior Kevin Arduino (Cornwall, N.Y.) suffered the loss.
In the finale, AIC knocked in all three runs in the third starting with a Vallas solo homer to left field. Freshman shortstop Eddie Ritch (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) and Dan Fenton (Agawam, Mass.) each singled in the third, sending home Geffert and Brett Bohl (Ludlow, Mass.).
Derek Azzopardi (Redwood City, Calif.) falls to 1-2 this season, going just 3.0 innings, allowing three earned and walking four.
Vallas was the only multiple hitter from the dish, finishing 2-of-4 with the run and RBI off the homerun.
The Yellow Jackets return to action Saturday, April 5 at Franklin Pierce for a doubleheader against the Ravens, slated to start at noon.
