AUBURN, N.Y. – Senior Mike Hughes (Albany) tossed a six-hit shutout as Cortland shut out Neumann University, 4-0, in an NCAA Div. III Baseball Regional elimination game at Falcon Park. The Red Dragons will play again Friday night at 7:45 p.m. versus RPI, also in an elimination game.

Cortland used a two-out rally in the top of the third to plate the first three runs of game. John Adornetto (Commack) started the rally with an infield single and, after back-to-back walks to Zack Gracyzk (Carmel) and Chris Jackson (Wappingers Falls/Roy C. Ketcham), Max Rosing's (Rockville Centre/South Side) infield single plated Adornetto. Anthony Iacomini (South Salem/John Jay-Cross River) then hit a grounder to the left side of the infield that the Knights’ shortstop fielded. Iacomini beat the play at first, but the throw sailed by the first baseman and two runs scored to give Cortland a 3-0 lead.

Cortland added a run in the top of the sixth. With one out, Brian Berry (Nesconset/Smithtown East) singled off the pitcher's leg, Ralph Keppler (Rockville Centre/Oceanside) singled to right center to advance Barry to third, and Bryan Mistretta (Commack) hit a ground ball into the hole between short and third for an RBI infield single.

Hughes improved his record to 7-1 with the win, striking out three and walking two. Knights starter Kristian Deluzio took the loss to fall to 4-3. Neumann’s season comes to an end with a record of 30-15.

Adornetto, Rosing and Barry each finished 2-for-4, while Graczyk and Iacominio were each 1-for-3 with two walks for Cortland. Will Flores and Bill Pace each went 2-for-4 for Neumann.

Cortland (36-10) will face RPI for the second time during the regional. The Red Dragons defeated the Engineers, 4-3, in the opener for both teams Wednesday. RPI stayed alive Friday with a two-run rally in the bottom of the eighth to defeat Farmingdale State, 6-5.

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