By David F. Pendrys (Eyewitness report checked against official box score.)

The Mercy Mavericks got out to a quick 3 to 2 lead over the Bridgeport Purple Knights by the end of the second inning. However they were held scoreless by the home team held them scoreless the rest of the game. UB did not stop their own scoring and utilized a 4 run sixth inning to take the lead on their way to an eventual 7-3 victory.

Bridgeport started Rob Anderson gave up all 3 of Mercy’s runs (2 earned) but then held them to only 2 more hits before bowing out to Kevin Johnson in the seventh. Johnson would allow only 1 hit himself to pick up the save, though Mercy did stay alive in the 9^th on a UB error. Mercy’s James Patterson gave up all 7 Bridgeport runs pitching 7.2 innings. Nick Caruso would relieve him to get the last out.

The decisive bottom of the six began when Casey McCone singled. Kyle Platner got to first, but McCone was thrown out at second. Tyler Theiss then grounded to short, but an error allowed both he and Platner to survive. Ben Torres then knocked the ball up the center the shortstop misplayed it, allowing Platner to score from second, and Theiss advanced as Torres arrived at first. Tyler Gambardella then shot the ball to right center scoring Theiss, and advancing Torres to second. Casey Ouellette stepped in and smacked a double clearing the bases. The bleeding would stop there but that was all Bridgeport needed.

As Bridgeport looked for more Theiss made it to first on an error. Torres advanced him on a ground out. Gambardella made it to first on an error by the shortstop, and Theiss reached third. UB tried some chicanery with a double steal. Gambardella raced for second and made it but the throw back home caught Theiss as he tried to score. Ouellette however came to bat and tripled scoring Gambardella in the process for an insurance run.

Bridgeport rises to 11-15 in total and 7-3 in conference. Mercy drops to 5-17 and 1-10 in conference.