Miami Shores, Fla. - Lynn University's baseball team came from behind to win 6-3 in game one but saw its furious rally in game two fall short in an 8-6 loss to rival Barry on Sunday. Ryan Lashley went 4-for-9 with two home runs and four runs batted in while Jason Matusik smashed the game-winning grand slam. The Fighting Knights move to 26-15 overall and 9-6 in the Sunshine State Conference.
Trailing 3-2 heading into the ninth, Mike Gonzalez started the LU rally with a walk after falling behind 0-2 in the count. A second walk to Enrique Perez gave the Blue & White runners on first and second but a two-out throwing error by the Buccaneers third baseman gave Lynn life. Matusik stepped to the plate with the bases juiced and turned on an 0-1 fastball, sending the pitch over the left center field fence for the game-winner.
Barry (26-16, 11-10 SSC) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fourth but Lashley answered back with a solo home run in the sixth. The Fighting Knights then went ahead 2-1 in the seventh with a RBI ground out from Alex Freedman.
Andrew Melchor (4-0) came on in relief in the home half but allowed two runs on three straight hits to give the Bucs back the lead.
Lynn never led in game two but attempted to rally from an 8-2 deficit in the final frame. Once again Gonzalez was in the thick of things, singling and moving on to third when Cory Elasik doubled down the left field line. The Bucs loaded the bases again after hitting Perez and Freedman nearly connected on another grand slam, smashing a shot to dead center field but Barry was able to make the play at the fence allowing Gonzalez to reach home.
Lashley stepped to the plate and tattooed his second shot of the day, three-run shot to left center to pull his team to within two. The rally continued with singles by Matusik and Sal Giardina but a two-out ground out to first ended Lynn's day.
The Fighting Knights return to action on Saturday, April 20, at 3 p.m. when they host Nova Southeastern. Fans can catch the action live at LynnFightingKnights.com and receive in-game updates by following @LUKnights on Twitter and Instagram.
