#1 SUNY Cortland - 2, #2 Farmingdale State - 1

Farmingdale, N.Y. - Top-seed SUNY Cortland scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to defeat second-seed Farmingdale State, 2-1, and capture the 2012 NCAA Division III Farmingdale Baseball Regional Championship. The Red Dragons (39-7-1) now advance to the Division III College World Series in Appleton, Wisconsin on May 25-29. The Rams end the season with a 32-12 overall record.

In the top of the third inning, freshman shortstop Anthony Alvino (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) hit a one-out single to center field and was advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by senior third baseman Ryan McAllister (Miller Place, N.Y.). Senior catcher Frank Scarlato (Holbrook, N.Y.) put the Rams ahead 1-0 with an RBI single to center, which scored Alvino.

SUNY Cortland had runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the third and sophomore pitcher Mike Dolce (St. James, N.Y.), facing his first batter of the game, forced an inning-ending double play to end the scoring chance.

With one out in the top of the sixth, Scarlato hit a double to left center for Farmingdale State. Freshman designated hitter Matthew Zsevc (Westbury, N.Y.) hit a two-out single to center and junior Michael LaTempa (LaGrangeville, N.Y.) threw Scarlato out at the plate.

Junior shortstop John Adornetto (Commack, N.Y.) led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk and was advanced to second on a sac bunt by sophomore first baseman Max Rosing (Rockville Centre, N.Y.). The Red Dragons tied the game at 1-1 on an RBI triple to left center by LaTempa. After a walk to sophomore catcher Tim Panetta (Mount Kisco, N.Y.), sophomore pinch hitter P.J. Rinaldi (Bethel, Conn.) hit the game-winning sacrifice fly to center.

Junior starting pitcher John Molloy (Franklin Square, N.Y.) pitched a no-decision after allowing one run in 6.1 innings of work. Junior pitcher Tyler Scott (New Paltz, N.Y.) threw 2.2 scoreless innings of relief to earn his first win of the season (1-0). Cortland totaled three hits in the victory.

For Farmingdale State, Scarlato was 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Alvino was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Dolce fell to 2-2 on the season after allowing two runs on two hits in six innings pitched. The Rams finished the game with 12 hits.

The All-Tournament team for the 2012 NCAA Division III Farmingdale Baseball Regional was:

Ron Remi – Farmingdale State

David Zilnicki – Farmingdale State

Frank Scarlato – Farmingdale State

Matt DeRamo – Farmingdale State

Tim Panetta – SUNY Cortland

Ray Angelucci – SUNY Cortland

Mike Hughes – SUNY Cortland

Pat Lemmo – Ithaca

Andrew Sanders  - Ithaca

David Brandt – Castleton State

Most Outstanding Player: Andrew Pezzuto – SUNY Cortland

To view complete Regional Tournament schedule/results, Click HERE.

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