March 16, 2000

Box Score

HOMESTEAD, FL - Lafayette dropped a heartbreaker today, as freshman pitcher Joe Saporetti threw a gem, and sophomore catcher Jon Kline singled home the tying run in the top of the ninth inning, but it wasn't enough for the Leopards to overcome Wagner College, as the Seahawks got a run with one out in the bottom of the ninth to win, 4-3.

Lafayette tied it up in the top of the ninth when senior first baseman Mike Palos walked, and classmate Bob Osipower layed down a perfect bunt to move him to second. Matt Tambellini also did his part, moving Palos over to third with a groundout to the right side, before Kline, the teams top hitter, came to bat and rapped a hit opposite field for the RBI.

Lafayette then looked to take the lead, as Kline departed for the swifter T.J. Stevens, but the Leopards suffered an unfortunate out when Russ Giglio's apparent hit struck Stevens on the leg, ending the Lafayette top half of the ninth.

Wagner broke through with the winning run in the bottom half when Pat Morello reached on a fielders choice, and advanced to third on Bryan DiStefano's single to right. With one out, head coach Joe Kinney elected to intentionally walk left fielder Paul Kurella to load the bases and attempt to induce a double-play grounder. But the Seahawks' Bill Biel would have nothing of it, slamming a single to left field for the game-winning hit, and dropping the Leopards for the seventh time this season.

In all, Saporetti went 8.1 innings, allowing two walks and striking out five. He gave up four runs, two earned, and took his first loss in his college career. The Leopards were led offensively by sophomore phenom Vince D'Angelis, who continued his hot hitting ways with a three-for-four day and scored a run.