April 5, 2001
Box Score
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lafayette cranked out back-to-back-to-back home runs in a three-run sixth but couldn't overcome a six-run deficit in a 12-3 loss at Wagner on Thursday in non-conference baseball action.
The Leopards spotted defending Northeast Conference champs Wagner six runs over the first five innings to dig themselves a 6-0 hole. Wagner centerfielder Paul Kurella gave the Seahawks a 1-0 lead with a solo homer over the rightfield fence off of Lafayette starter Jeff Zambrano (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) in the bottom of the second.
In the third inning, Mike Cerminaro connected for a two-run homer that ran the Wagner lead to 3-0. Cerminaro finished the day 2-for-4 with four RBI.
One inning later, Wagner's Billy Biel doubled home a run, and in the fifth inning, Joe LaRocca hit a two-run home run to put Wagner up 6-0.
Lafayette posted a three-spot in the top of the sixth thanks to back-to-back-to-back home runs from junior Vince D'Angelis (Montvale, N.J./St. Joseph's Regional), senior Ian Burley (Nazareth, Pa./Notre Dame) and freshman Craig Alexander (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport). Alexander's home run was the first of his brief collegiate career, while Burley and D'Angelis both managed their fourth of the season.
Wagner scored six unearned runs in the seventh inning on five hits and two Lafayette errors to put the final at 12-3.
Wagner starter Kane Stein earned the win with a five-hit, nine-strikeout performance over six innings of work. Zambrano was the pitcher of record for Lafayette, earning his first decision of the 2001 season. Zambrano gave up four runs on four hits and four walks over three and two thirds innings of work.
D'Angelis finished the day 2-for-4 with a home run, a single and a stolen base. Adam Rosenberg, (Ocean Grove, N.J./Neptune), the fifth-leading hitter in the nation, went 1-for-3 and recorded a stolen base.
Lafayette (5-16) returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Lehigh in a Patriot League doubleheader at Metzgar Fields. The first pitch is scheduled for noon.
