AUBURNDALE, FL (March 15, 2017) – The Vassar College baseball team ran a planned base running play in the top of the ninth with one out, plating the game-winning run to pull past Cairn University 6-5 in non-conference action from Lake Myrtle Park Stadium Field Wednesday morning.

On a chilly day in central Florida, the starting pitchers for both teams were dominant over the opening two frames, as Vassar College freshman Jake Silver and Cairn sophomore Sam Dralle dueled. In the bottom of the third Cairn (5-3) got on the board with three runs, as Jake Allen singled in a run to start the rally. Vassar would make three errors in the inning as well, allowing for an unearned run to score to make the score 3-0.

The Brewers responded with three runs in the fifth inning to deadlock the game at three, as sophomore Matt Schwartz got on base with one out after being hit by a pitch. After a strikeout, junior Matt Hernandez singled to left, and Schwartz would come around on a RBI single by sophomore infielder Alex Hartnett.

Vassar lead-off hitter Eric Strickland came to the plate next, lofting a pitch to right field but Highlander centerfielder Brendan Keller dropped a routine fly ball to allow both Hernandez and Harnett to score, tying the game in the process.

Senior righty Adam Erkis entered in relief in the fifth inning, and was stellar for the second straight outing, allowing only one hit over three frames. The only threat came in the seventh inning, as Andrew Phillips singled to right field, followed by an error to put runners at first and second. After a picked off runner at second base for the second out of the inning, Erkis tossed a wild pitch and Keller tried to score from second base but was tagged out at the plate to end the stanza.

Vassar earned its first lead of the day in the top of the eighth, as Denis Shanagher reached on a hit by pitch, followed by a walk by sophomore Bryan Rubin. After a pitching change, freshman Matt Martino welcomed new pitcher Nate Wilson with a two-run double to put the Brewers on top.

The Highlanders wouldn't go away, plating two runs in the bottom half of the eighth, with Emilio Alvarez singling down the left field line off of Robert Winkelmann to tie the game at five. In the top of the ninth, Vassar would get the go-ahead run on some heads-up base running. Harnett singled to left, but was cut down on a failed sacrifice bunt attempt. Strickland followed by stealing second base, and freshman Conner Levchuck walked to continue the rally.

With runners at first and second, Shanagher was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out, setting up Vassar's key moment of the game. After a pitch, Levchuck leaked off of second base and forced a throw to the bag, and as the throw went to second Strickland took off for home and beat the relay to the plate while Levchuck and Shanagher each advanced as well. That would be all that Winkelmann would need in the ninth, as he forced a ground out and then ended the game on a "strike 'em out, throw 'em out" double play from Jake Doyle to clinch the win.

Silver went the first four for the Brewers, striking out seven Highlander hitters while allowing just three hits. The seven strikeouts were the most in a start for a freshman since Trent Berg fanned seven against Clarkson University in the Liberty League Tournament back in 2014.

Hernandez finished 2-for-3 before being lifted for a pinch-runner, and Harnett was 2-for-4 with a RBI and run scored. Schwartz, Strickland and Martino also had one hits for VC in its seven-hit performance Wednesday. Winkelmann tossed 1.2 innings in relief, chalking up his second victory of the year after striking out two and allowing two hits.

Dralle tossed six innings, allowing one earned run and three hits, fanning 10 Vassar hitters. Allen was 2-for-5 for the Highlanders, while Phillips also had two hits and a run scored. "Today is not the best we have played, we struggled making plays in the field and didn't do a good job on the base paths, but we showed some grit and kept our spirits up to the very end," said head coach Matthew Righter. "I was proud of our guys for finishing on a high note. I was proud of our starter Jake (Silver) and I thought Erkis, (Max) Spencer and Winkelmann all looked pretty sharp out of the bullpen."

Vassar will now pack up and head to Fort Myers, FL for five games, starting first on Saturday morning with a doubleheader against New York University March 18 at 9 a.m. at Terry Park.