Lehman Baseball Ends Regular Season With Three-Game Sweep Of Baruch College

New York, NY- The Lehman College men’s baseball concluded the 2007 season with a three-game sweep over conference rivals Baruch College. In the first two games which were on the Lehman campus, the Lightning were victorious 7-1 in the first game, while pulling out a thriller 16-15 in the second game. The next day saw Lehman finish off the sweep with a 20-6 victory at Roberto Clemente State Park.

In the first game, sophomore pitcher Adam Kolinoski was sensational to earn the victory. In going the distance for a complete game, Kolinoski struck out seven batters, while allowing just five hits as he dominated the Bearcats line-up.

“Adam was great today”, said first-year Lehman manager John Quirk. “It was great to see him come up with a performance like this to end the season, it is a real positive going into the off-season.”

The second game of the twin-bill saw more heroics from the Lightning, but from an unlikely source. After being honored on Senior Day prior to the start of the doubleheader, coach Quirk gave senior Leandro Fortyz the start as the designated hitter, and it turned out to be the best move of the day. With the Lightning trailing 12-5 in the final inning, a furious rally by the Lightning tied the score at twelve, and sent the game to extra innings. In the extra stanza, Baruch immediately scored two runs and were primed to close out Lehman as they bought in the top pitcher, Greg Paulius to finish the game, immediately the heroics began for the Lightning. After the first two runners reached base, the stage was set for the senior Fortyz to become the hero, and just like an action movie he delivered. A bases clearing double enabled Lehman to tie the score and the Lightning would then stage another comeback in the 11th inning to pull out the thrilling victory from Baruch.

“To see Leo get a big hit for us in the clutch was the best way for this game to end,” said coach Quirk. “The guy has done so much for the program, and for him to get a chance in a game of this magnitude was a perfect send-off.”

Lehman finished off the season with a 9-15 and a fifth place finish in the CUNY conference, barely missing out on a playoff berth to the CUNY tournament. Expectations for the future are great, as the Lightning squad is extremely young and talented.

“We look forward to the future of this program next season,” Quirk added with a smile. “We have a good nucleus, and we will be adding some new pieces to the puzzle, next season should be a lot of fun here in the Bronx campus.”