No. 23 Fighting Knights Continue Hot Start with Win Over Molloy

By: Michael Demyan

Photo Credit: Lynn Athletic Communications

The Lynn University Fighting Knights improved their record to 17-7 after beating Molloy College by a score of 11-2 Monday afternoon at home.

Lynn sent Victor Danza to the mound to start the game. It was his fourth appearance and third start of the season, with his last being a no decision in which he allowed four runs in four innings before the team went on to win 10-9.

Danza got through the first without too much trouble, only surrendering a two-out double to Angelo Navetta before Michael Rahn hit a grounder to the shortstop for the third out.

Molloy’s starting pitcher Kevin Hiss easily retired Patrick Dorrian to start the bottom half of the inning, but a hit and two walks loaded the bases for the Fighting Knights. Karl Ellison then hit a ball right back to the mound for an out, but it gave them their first run and advanced the other runners. Jake Rouse followed with a two-run single to extend the lead to three. The hit also extended his personal hitting streak to 18 games.

Molloy tried to start a two-out rally in the top half of the second, getting two runners into scoring position, but Danza was able to get the final out to keep them scoreless.

With Lynn up by five heading into the third, they were able to score two more runs through some strange circumstances. Ellison was able to reach first on an error and eventually scored on a balk by Hiss, which also advanced Rouse to third. Ben Fagan then walked and attempted to steal second base, which he was easily able to do thanks to a wild pitch which also allowed Rouse to score.

The Fighting Knights were holding onto a 7-0 lead heading into the fifth inning before Fagan connected for his first career home run, a two-run shot which improved their lead to 9-0.

Molloy was finally able to break into the run column in the seventh when Anthony Galanoudis grounded out to second base, bringing home Sean Hogan. Danza was able to complete the inning and finished with one earned run allowed on five hits and a walk with two strikeouts.

Philip Quinn came in to pitch the final two innings for the Fighting Knights in the eighth, allowing only a run to seal the 11-2 victory.

Danza’s record improved to 2-0 and he lowered his ERA to 3.60 on the season. Rouse led the team from the offensive side with a 3-for-4 game, along with two RBIs and two runs scored. The loss went to Hiss (0-4). His final line was seven runs allowed, six earned, on five hits and three walks through three innings.

The score reflects another strong offensive showing from the Fighting Knights, who now have a team batting average of .360 through their first 24 games of the season, along with 45 home runs.