Cary, NC - A complete game three hitter by Daktronics National Pitcher of the Year Gabriel Duran (Brooklyn, NY), led the No. 21 Dowling College Baseball team to a 3-1 upset over No. 1 UC San Diego in the opening round of the NCAA Division II World Series.

With a 0-0 ball game after 3 innings of play, Dowling would get on the board first on the day, scoring two runs in the top of the 4th inning. Colin Barnathan (Massapequa, NY), Daniel Pembroke (Wading River, NY), and David Wendt (Methuen, MA) would hit back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases with no one out off UC San Diego starter Tim Shibuya. After a fielders choice by Matthew Monastero (Ridge, NY) would force a runner out at the plate, Joe Trainor (Massapequa, NY) would come through with a single to bring in the Golden Lions first run. Erik Cabrera (Ronkonkoma, NY) was next to the plate and lifted a deep fly ball to left field for a sacrifice fly to bring in Wendt for Dowling's second run. A pickoff would end the Golden Lions threat in the inning.

The score would remain the same until the bottom of the 6th inning. Duran, who had held the Tritons hitless through the first 5 innings, walked Kellen Lee to lead off the inning. After retiring the next two hitters, UC San Diego third baseman Josh Tanner would step to the dish. Tanner would hit a deep fly ball off the left field wall, missing a home run by inches, to bring home Lee for the Tritons first run. Duran would get a little help from his defense to end the inning, as Ralph Tufano (Eltingville, NY) made a diving catch on a low line drive off the bat of Garrett Imeson to keep the score at 2-1 in the Golden Lions favor.

After the Golden Lions were held scoreless in the top of the 7th inning, the Tritons would threaten to tie the game in the bottom half. With one out, Duran would hit left fielder Evan Kehoe for the second time on the day. Next batter, Robert Sedin would attempt a sacrifice bunt to move Kehoe to second and an errant throw by Duran would allow Kehoe to advance to third to give UC San Diego runners on the corners with one out. However, Duran would induce a pop up to short stop by Matt Cantele and a fly ball to left field by Kellen Lee to end the Triton threat.

Dowling would tack on to their lead in the top of the 8th inning. With runners on first and second and two outs, Tim Shibuya would throw a wild pitch to allow Frank Intagliata (Franklin Square, NY) to move to third. With Daniel Pembroke at the plate, a 3-2 fastball would be laced to right centerfield to allow Intagliata to score and give Dowling a 3-1 lead. The hit would end Shibuya's day as the Tritons brought in Ryland MacFayden. MacFayden induced a ground ball off the bat of David Wendt to end the Golden Lions scoring threat.

In the bottom of the 9th, with the Golden Lions still leading 3-1, Duran returned to the mound to try to finish off the complete game. After a one out single by Evan Kehoe brought the tying run to the plate for UC San Diego, Duran would strike out Robert Sedin for the second out. A walk to Matt Cantele would bring the winning run to the plate in Kellen Lee. On a 2-2 fastball, Lee would line a frozen rope to centerfield, but Frank Intagliata would make the catch to secure the Golden Lions victory.

With the win, Dowling moves into the winners bracket to take on the winner of the game between Lynn and West Chester. Game time will be on Tuesday, May 26 at 7:00 PM.

Game Notes: With the win Gabriel Duran becomes Dowling's single season record holder for wins (10). Dowling also sets a single season record for wins in a season with 35 with the victory.

-Story provided by Dowling Sports Information department.