Box Score

WINTER HAVEN, FL (March 14, 2011) -- After losing its three-run lead in the eighth inning, the Vassar College men's baseball team roared back for six runs in the ninth and defeated Fitchburg State 11-7 Monday afternoon at Chain of Lakes Park, its third straight win. Senior Devon Luongo homered and drove in five runs, including two in the final frame, to complement a strong seven-inning start from junior John MacGregor.

Vassar is 3-0 for the first time in more than five years, and will have its first off-day of the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational tournament Tuesday before taking on Gallaudet University Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. Fitchburg State drops to 2-3 with the loss, and will face Ramapo College Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.

Having led since the first inning, the Vassar offense suddenly found itself trailing 6-5 in the top of the ninth inning and immediately rallied to reclaim the lead. Senior Joe Castilla started things off with a double off the left field wall. After a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk, freshman Dave Robbins singled sharply up the middle to bring in Castilla and tie the game. Two batters later, junior Sal Costanzo drew a bases-loaded walk to give Vassar a 7-6 lead. Freshman Brett Zaziski slapped a two-run double down the left field line, and Luongo added a two-run single to left, to increase the lead to 11-6.

Down 5-3 in the bottom of the eighth, Fitchburg State rallied for two hits and took advantage of two errors and a wild pitch to tie the game at 5-5 off of Brewers reliever Zachary Prudoff. Max Frankel entered the game with a runner on third and two outs, and gave up a go-ahead single through the left side by Eric DiMauro to put the Falcons up 6-5 before getting the final out of the inning.

After Vassar's comeback, Frankel gave up two hits and one run in the ninth inning, but held on for his first win of the season with the help of a slick third-to-first double-play by Castilla.

Luongo got the Brewers off to a quick start in the top half of the first inning by lining a three-run home run over the left field wall off of Fitchburg State starter Will Dawson. The senior went 2-for-5 with five RBI, and has knocked in nine runs in his first three games this season.

MacGregor gave up four hits and two runs in the first inning, but pitched effectively thereafter, allowing just four hits and one run in the next six frames. The junior righthander finished with seven innings pitched and allowed eight hits and three runs with five strikeouts and one walk. Vassar has seen its starting pitcher last into the seventh inning in all three games this season.

Dawson pitched 4.1 innings and allowed five earned runs on six hits and four walks. Pat Mercier collected the loss in relief, tossing 4.1 innings with six earned runs on four hits and two walks.

Sophomore Mike Perrone, Castilla, and Robbins all had two hits to support Luongo's monster day at the plate. Junior Liam Lee went 1-for-4 with two runs for Vassar. He made a diving catch in center field with two outs and men on second and third in the bottom of the eighth inning to keep the Falcons' lead at just one run.

DiMauro led the Falcons with two hits and two RBI, and John Phelan had two hits and two runs from the leadoff spot.