Rindge, NH - A thrilling 1-0 victory over the Adelphi Panthers in the East Regional Final, has the Dowling College Baseball team off to the first NCAA Division II World Series appearance in program history.

Coming in to the day, the Golden Lions needed two victories over conference rival Adelphi to make a trip to the World Series in Cary, North Carolina. After Buddy Cipoletti's dominating performance in game one of the day forced a do-or-die winner take all game.

Dowling sent out freshman starter Marc Rutledge (Ridge, NY) to the hill. Rutledge didn't disappoint from the start, beginning the game with 3.1 perfect innings.

Rutledge wasn't the only pitcher off to a good start as Adelphi starter Keith Couch matched zeroes with Rutledge over the first 5 innings.

In the top of the 6th inning, the Golden Lion offense would finally break through against Couch. Ralph Tufano (Eltingville, NY) led off the frame with a single to right field. After Frank Intagliata (Franklin Square, NY) was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second, Eddie Squeri (Shirley, NY) would attempt a sacrifice bunt. Squeri would place the bunt perfectly and beat out the throw to load the bases with no one out. After Couch recorded a strikeout, Daniel Pembroke (Wading River, NY) stepped to the plate. Pembroke ripped a Couch offering to left field to bring home Tufano from third on a sacrifice fly.

Rutledge continued his dominance into the 7th inning. However Adelphi would threaten in the bottom of the 7th. With a runner on first base, Chris Weidlein would bloop a single to centerfield and advance to second on the throw to third to put runners on second and third with 2 outs. Ace Gabriel Duran (Brooklyn, NY) was then summoned from the bullpen and induced a ground ball of the bat of Anthony Anzalone to end the Panther threat.

With the score still at 1-0 heading into the bottom of the 9th, Duran struck out Thomas Harper and got Ryan Boelsen to line out to second to put the Golden Lions within one out of their first ever World Series appearance. Bill Melillo stepped to the plate. Melillo tapped a soft come backer to the mound and Duran fired to first to set off a celebration as the Golden Lions became East Region Champions.

Rutledge earned the win on the day with 6.2 shut out innings, allowing only 3 hits. Duran was credited with the save, oging 2.1 innings without allowing a hit and striking out 2.

Buddy Cipoletti (West Islip, NY) was named the East Regional Most Outstanding Player, after allowing only 1 run over 15.2 innings in the tournament. Eddie Squeri and Frank Intagliata were also named to the All-Tournament team.

Dowling will be back in action at the NCAA Division II World Series in Cary, North Carolina on Sunday, May 24 against a yet to be determined opponent. Log on to www.dowlingathletics.com for all of your championship information.

-Provided by Dowling Sports Information department.