Box Score Flushing, N.Y. – The QC Knights winning streak is over at four games as they fell to Mercy, 6-3, in their East Coast Conference opener from Flusing, on Friday. The loss put Queens at 4-3 on the season and 0-1 in East Coast Conference play.
Brandon Burrell got the start for QC, going 6 and 2/3 innings allowing just three runs (2 ER) on eight hits. He struck out three Mavericks' batters and walked two. Burrell showed his athleticism as he snared an Anthony McQuade comebacker in the top of the third inning. Burrell (0-1) did not factor in the decision for his second straight start.
The Knights tied the game up at three in the bottom of the eighth when Mercy pitcher Blake Coalla committed consecutive balks and threw a wild pitch to even the game up. After surrendering the tying runs, Coalla would proceed to get the next two outs to end the inning.
Dan Walsh, who got the Knights out of a bases loaded jam in the top of that eighth frame, got Michael Grudzinski to fly out to start the top of the ninth. He then caught Giovanni LaSalandra looking for the inning's second out. After a Ken Post walk, Scott Hagan reached after Knights third baseman, Lenny Torres mishandled a groundball to the hot corner. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, McQuade smoked a go-ahead double to left center driving in pinch runner Dan Cleery and Hagan. Mercy (4-8) would add one more on a Jesus Jaile RBI single to left to drive in McQuade. Coalla earned his first victory of the season after staying in to finish off the bottom of the ninth.
Dan Walsh led the Knights with Two hits. Joe Morris and Nick Osburn each scored for Queens.
The Knights continue their ECC series against Mercy College tomorrow afternoon at Knights field in Flushing. First pitch of game 1 of tomorrow's twinbill is slated for 12 PM.
