WEST HAVEN, Conn. - Despite three hits each from junior Paul Cherubino (Middletown, N.Y.) and freshman Alex Velardi (Branford, Conn.), the Mount Saint Mary College baseball team dropped a non-conference game, 6-5. to Albertus Magnus on Thursday evening in Connecticut.  The Knights drop to 17-11 with the loss.

MSMC got on the board in the second with back-to-back run-scoring singles from sophomore Anthony D'Agostino (Wallington, N.J.) and Velardi, but trailed 5-2 through the game's first five frames.  The Knights got one back in the sixth when sophomore Chris Chieffo (Waterbury, Conn.) grounded into a double play that allowed Cherubino to score from third.

The Mount got within one in the seventh on an RBI groundout from junior Thomas McNoble (Breezy Point, N.Y.) and then tied the game with another run in the top of the eighth.  Sophomore Vinnie Carminati (Huntington, N.Y.) led off the inning with a double to left field and then scored when senior Brian McNoble (Lynbrook, N.Y.) doubled to the same spot.  Unfortunately, the Knights left a pair of runners on base to send the game to the bottom of the eighth at 5-5.

Albertus' Fanol Prevalla reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, stole third, and then scored on a single from the pinch-hitting Oscar Torres to give the Falcons a 6-5 advantage.  The Knights went down 1-2-3 in the ninth, allowing the home team to claim the victory.

Cherubino finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored, while Velardi went 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI.  Carminati and senior John Conroy (Middletown, N.Y.) also had a pair of hits for the Knights.

Sophomore Zach Kenny (Hicksville, N.Y.) made the start for the Mount, allowing eight hits and five runs over four innings.  Freshman Matt Schumacher (Commack, N.Y.) pitched well in relief, but was hung with the loss.  He allowed five hits and just the one run while striking out four in four innings of work.

The Knights will host Farmingdale in a Skyline double-header on Saturday at Dutchess Stadium.  The first game is set for a noon start.