BOCA RATON, Fla. – Lynn University's baseball team rallied from three runs down then comfortably rolled to complete its season sweep of Palm Beach Atlantic on Sunday. The Fighting Knights pulled out a 7-6 win in game one before shutting down the Sailfish in a 6-0 victory in game two. Kyle Wolfe earned the complete game shutout while Anthony Boza went 3-for-6 with four runs batted in. Lynn improves to 16-13 overall.
Game one looked as though it would be a slugfest following a three-run first inning for the Blue & White. Boza recorded his first RBI on the day with a double off the yellow tape on the left field walk to score Austin Smith and McVey followed with a ground out to plate Mike Diorio. Dane Derstine later added Lynn's third run of the frame with a sacrifice fly to deep left center field.
Palm Beach Atlantic starter T.J. Harbuck settled down to hold LU at bay for the next five innings. Jason Beaumont earned the nod for the Knights, lasting seven innings while surrendering three runs with one walk and six strikeouts. His lone mistake was a 1-2 fastball to Nick Natale in the fifth as Natale smashed a three-run home run to knot the game at three.
Shawn Kale came on in relief in the eighth and fanned the first batter he faced before an error led to a three run PBA inning. Following the gaffe, Kale gave-up back-to-back hits to break the tie. He struck out Yogi Gunther for what should have been the third out before Johnny Cole opened the game up with a two-run single, making it a 6-3 Sailfish lead.
Pinch hitter Wes Soto provided the offensive spark for LU in the home half, cutting the deficit to one with a two-run triple. He later scored the tying run off Kyle Radzewski's single down the left field line.
Lynn kept the pressure on, with a Smith double and Mike Diorio walk to load the bases. Not known for his speed, Boza drove in the game-winning run when he legged out a potential inning-ending double-play, beating the throw to allow Radzewski to score.
Wolfe was in control right from the get-go of game two, holding PBA (17-13) hitless through 3.1 innings of work. Consecutive singles by Jorge Chavarria and Luis Mejia and a hit batter loaded the bases but Wolfe fanned Matt Civetti to keep the game in Lynn's hands.
A 1-0 game turned 6-0 after a five-run fifth inning. Radzewski and Smith walked to open the frame and Diorio juiced the bases with a perfectly place bunt single down the third base line. Boza quickly brought home two of his teammates with a two-run single and McVey again followed with a sacrifice fly.
Adding to PBA's woes, Phil Mannelly was hit by the next pitch and Eric Herrera made them pay with a two-run double.
Wolfe went the distance on 90 pitches for his second complete game of the season but first career shutout. He allowed four hits, struck out six and did not issue a walk.
The Fighting Knights return to action on Tuesday, March 29, at 3 p.m. when they host St. Thomas (Fla.). Fans can follow the action live by logging on to www.LynnFightingKnights.com and selecting "Game Central."
