UNIONDALE, N.Y. Freshman C.J. Boykin (Nashua, N.H.) doubled in the winning run in the top of the 11th inning to help American International College best Molloy, 4-2, and record their sixth straight victory in non-conference baseball action this afternoon at Mitchel Field Athletic Complex.
AIC (15-19) started the scoring in the first without the benefit of a hit as Boykin crossed home on a wild pitch after walking to begin the inning for the 1-0 edge.
The Jackets threatened again in the top of the sixth as they loaded the bases with two-outs thanks to a pair of singles by sophomore K.J. White (Wilbraham, Mass.) and junior Eddie Ritch (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) and a walk to Boykin. However, Lion freshman right-hander Anthony Catinella (Middle Village, N.Y.) induced a groundout to end the frame and keep it a one-run game.
Molloy (20-21) then got the first two runners on-base in the bottom of the sixth, but sophomore Brian Karp (Bellmore, N.Y.) was able to get senior John Galanoudis (Farmingdale, N.Y.) to fly into a rare triple play.
Graduate student Dave Clark (West Springfield, Mass.) made the catch in center and fired to shortstop Ritch who crossed the bag and threw to sophomore Chris Starcun (Easthampton, Mass.) at first to finish the play.
The Lions then loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth with a double and a pair of walks and scored two runs as Galanoudis reached on a fielder's choice to drive home a run and another run crossed home on a throwing error for the 2-1 lead.
American International responded in the top of the ninth as Boykin walked for the third time to start the frame and promptly stole second before crossing home on a throwing error by the shortstop for the 2-2 tie.
The game then went into extra innings where in the top of the 11th the Jackets grabbed a pair as Boykin doubled home White who walked to start the inning and Geffert recorded an RBI fielder's choice to score Boykin for the 4-2 advantage.
Karp didn't factor in the decision after tossing the first seven innings scattering five hits without allowing a run and fanning one. Sophomore Michael Barthelette (East Longmeadow, Mass.) picked up the victory to improve to 1-0 on the year as he hurled the final two frames without surrendering a run or hit.
Catinella pitched into the ninth allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits with seven walks and three strikeouts and didn't factor in the decision either. Junior Peter Vath (Selden, N.Y.) took the loss after tossing the final two innings allowing two runs on just one hit to fall to 0-2 on the year.
Molloy outhit the visitors 8-5 on the afternoon.
AIC returns to action Friday as they host New Haven for a single NE-10 southwest contest at 3:30 p.m.
