Lake Worth, Fla. – A bases loaded single by Kyle Radzewski with two outs in the bottom of the ninth gave Lynn University's baseball team a 7-6 victory over Mercyhurst on Friday night. Mike Diorio had three runs batted in while Radzewski went 2-for-3 with a run scored and game-winning RBI. The Fighting Knights improve to 6-6 overall.
Taking a two run lead into the top of the ninth, the Blue & White's fifth error of the game kept things alive for the Lakers (3-1). Kevin McCall then cut the deficit to one with an RBI fielder's choice and Ethan Santora tied it with a single up the middle.
Determined to stay away from extra innings, Alex Bello started the winning rally with a lead-off walk. Wes Soto earned another walk before Dane Derstine drew a two-out free pass on four pitches to load the bases. Looking to end things, Radzewski turned on an outside fastball, driving it up the middle for the walk-off hit.
"Coach Garbalosa was preaching aggressive at bats so I went up there and did my best to help the team," said Radzewski.
Mercyhurst was able get an early lead in the opening frame after LU starter Collin McGowan walked the lead-off batter and surrendered a RBI double to McCall in the next at bat. McGowan settled down from there, fanning three batters in seven innings while allowing just one earned run.
Four errors in the fifth inning led to three unearned runs for the Lakers, putting them on top 4-0. Rather than retreat from the hole the Fighting Knights rallied together to score five runs in the home half of the inning. Austin Smith knocked in the first run with a single up the middle, scoring Eric Herrera, and Diorio followed with a two-run single to right center.
Lynn got a little help from the Mercyhurst defense later in the frame. Shortstop Zak Blair misplayed a routine ground ball by Anthony Boza and the Blue & White was able to tie the game at four. Pitcher Eric Aschely then gave up the fifth run of the frame when his fastball sailed into the backstop, allowing Diorio to score from third.
An insurance run in the eighth played a pivotal role as Diorio earned a full-count bases loaded walk to put LU on top 6-4.
The Fighting Knights return to action on Saturday at 2 p.m. when they host Hillsdale at the McCusker Sports Complex. Fans can follow the action live by logging on to www.LynnFightingKnights.com and selecting "Game Central."
