Jupiter, Fla. – Five runs over the final three innings led Lynn University's baseball team to a 9-5 win over Palm Beach Atlantic at Roger Dean Stadium on Monday night. Albert Lefran came off the bench to belt the eventual game-winning two-run home run while Bill Mendek tossed 3.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory on the mound. The Fighting Knights improve to 3-1 overall on the year.
Down 5-3 heading into the seventh, freshman Cory Gibson closed the gap with a pinch hit sacrifice fly to right field to score Alex DeBellis. Just as quickly as momentum swung in Lynn's favor, the wind was taken out of its sails as Sal Giardina was called out after leaving third base early off a potential sac fly to end the frame.
The Blue & White left little doubt, though, in the eighth when Lefran smashed a two-run bomb over the right field fence. With two outs, the junior infielder turned on an inside fastball and laced it to put Lynn ahead 6-5.
Mike Gonzalez put the game away in the ninth with a two-run home run, a sure shot from the left-hand hitting right fielder. Lynn added a final run off a bases wild pitch.
Giardina gave the Fighting Knights a 2-0 lead after two innings with a pair of bases loaded singles. Unfortunately, the team was not able to capitalize more on the loaded bases and held only a 3-0 lead after two frames.
Daniel Patrick showed flashes in his first career start for the Blue & White but was on the wrong end of four errors, leading to five runs, three of which were unearned. He allowed four hits with three walks and four strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work.
Mendek entered in the fifth with the bases loaded and two outs and struck out AJ Steimel to end the threat. He would go on to fan two more batters with no walks before giving way to Andrew Melchor in the ninth. Melchor struck out one in his second appearance of the year.
The Fighting Knights return to the diamond on Saturday, February 8, for a noon double-header at Columbus State. Fans can listen to the action live at LynnFightingKnights.com and receive in-game updates by following @LUKnights on Twitter, Instagram and Vine.
