Clarkson Upsets Top Seed Cortland in Game One of Regionals

#6 Clarkson - 15, #1 Cortland - 12

Farmingdale, N.Y. - With eight runs in the top of the eighth inning, the Clarkson University Golden Knights (22-19) overcame a four-run deficit and held on for the 15-12 victory over top-seeded Cortland State (30-13) in today's opening game of the NCAA Division III New York Regionals.

After two scoreless innings, Cortland got on the board and took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third on four hits. Freshman Matt June (Colonie, N.Y.) led off with a single, followed by a single from junior Andersen Gardner (Fairport, N.Y.). Junior Kevin Jackson (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) knocked in the first run with an RBI single up the middle, and junior Steve Nickel (Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) hit a sacrifice fly to right for the 2-0 lead. Sophomore Jason Simone (Utica, N.Y.) tripled to right center to bring in the final run of the inning and give Cortland the 3-0 edge.

Cortland increased the lead to 8-0 after the fourth, with a five-run inning on four more hits and three errors. Both teams scored two in the sixth inning, before Clarkson started their comeback in the top of the seventh, as they were behind 10-2.

Junior Steve Magovney (Watertown, N.Y.) singled in the leadoff spot of the inning, advanced to second on a balk and moved over to third on a passed ball. Senior Matt Giordano (Liverpool, N.Y.) walked for a first and third situation, and senior Cale Giroux (Cortland, N.Y.) singled through the left side would score Magovney from third. After a pitching change, junior Matt Curry (Richland, N.Y.) singled to short and Giordano came home on an error. Junior Brady Torbitt (Fulton, N.Y.) reached on a fielder's choice and freshman Jerry Coleman (Potsdam, N.Y.) doubled to left center, scoring Giroux. Torbitt came around to score when freshman David Kinney (Mexico, N.Y.) reached on an error and with four runs scored. Clarkson would see themselves only behind 10-6.

Cortland got two runs back in the bottom of the seventh, but the eighth inning would prove too much to take and Clarkson would take over the lead 14-12. The eight hits in the inning were highlighted by a bases loaded 3RBI double from Coleman; and Giroux's two hits, a double and then the go-ahead RBI single.

The Golden Knights' sophomore pitcher Vincent Baldwin (Catskill, N.Y.) came in to relieve sophomore Kyle Moldoff (Nassau, N.Y.), striking out one and allowing no Cortland hits over the final two innings, to pick up his second save of the season and secure the victory for his team.

Moldoff (1-1) got the win for the Golden Knights, throwing 3.2 innings, and allowing just two earned runs.

Clarkson will now face the loser of #3 RPI / #4 Farmingdale on Thursday, May 14th at 3:30p.m., while Cortland will play the loser of #2 Ithaca / #5 Western New England on Thursday, May 14th at Noon.

*****