Box Score New Castle, Del. – (5/12/2016) – Setting up an elimination contest between the top two seeds at this year's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Championship Tournament, #2 Chestnut Hill College suffered a 5-3 loss to #6 Dominican College in the second game of today's action at New Castle, Delaware's Wilson Field. #1 Felician University lost to #4 Philadelphia University in the first game of the day as the Rams rallied for five runs in their final two at-bats of an 8-6 victory. For the Scarlet and Gold, junior center fielder Brandon DiBona (Southampton, Pa.) sacrificed home a second-inning run and connected for two hits (2-for-3) and senior catcher Robert Slagle III (Lafayette Hill, Pa.) ripped a fourth-inning solo shot, but it was not enough offense to overcome the Chargers' first two at-bats.
 
Dominican College (19-27) got started early, looking for their third win over Chestnut Hill College (25-20) this year with two first-inning runs. A two-out single and a succeeding home run from senior first baseman Carlos Lopez (Miami, Fla.) did the damage in the first inning (2-0). In the second inning, it was another two-out hit, this time a double to left center from junior center fielder Arbely Soto (Bronx, N.Y.), that cashed in a pair of early-inning singles (4-0). The Griffins got one run back in the bottom of the inning thanks to junior shortstop Jonathan Baturgil (Freehold, N.J.), who manufactured a tally with a one-out single down the left field line, a stolen base, a wild pitch, and DiBona's fly to center field (4-1). They added another in the fourth inning with Slagle's one-out shot to right field (4-2), before an eighth-inning sacrifice fly from sophomore designated hitter Matthew Owens (Cherry Hill, N.J.) reenergized the playoff for the last round of at-bats (4-3). Unfortunately, the Griffins did not get any closer in the final frame with the Chargers adding a ninth-inning insurance tally on a two-out single through the right side from junior third baseman Max Franzone (Nanuet, N.Y.) (5-3).
 
Chestnut Hill College starter, senior Zachary Crim (Horsham, Pa.) settled in after his first two innings, eventually allowing the four Charger runs on just seven hits. He struck out three in the loss (3-2). The Griffins used their four hits and five walks effectively, but were thwarted in their rallying efforts by sophomore Kraigen Rasalla (Scranton, Pa.) who held them scoreless over the final two innings. Rasalla struck out two in the save (6) while his predecessor on the hill, junior Franklin Miller (Ballston Spa, N.Y.), struck out five and earned the win (3-4).
 
The Griffins look to keep their playoff aspirations alive this afternoon, Thursday, May 12, as they prepare to challenge the Golden Falcons in a 3:00 p.m. loser-go-home CACC Quarterfinal.