UNIONDALE, NY – The Molloy University Lions defeated the Mercy University Mavericks, 13-1, to claim their third straight conference title and fifth in the last six years. The Lions earn the league’s automatic berth into the NCAA Championships, which begin next weekend.
 
Molloy first baseman and ECC Player of the Year Sean Welsh was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Welsh went 6-for-13 (.461) with five runs scored and nine RBI over the Lions’ three games. He also hit a double and a home run.
 
The Lions jumped out in front thanks to a two-run single by ECC First Team outfielder Steve Mulqueen in the first inning. They plated three more runs in the third on RBI singles by Welsh and All-ECC Second Team outfielder Charlie Imhof, along with a two-run single by Jack Vallario. Molloy added four more runs in the fourth inning on a three-run double by Welsh and an RBI double by Mulqueen to take a 10-0 lead.
 
Mercy scored its lone run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI groundout by All-ECC selection Nevin Scaperotti. Molloy added three more runs in the seventh inning to make the final score 13-1.
 
ECC First Team pitcher JC Kiss tossed seven innings of one-run ball, on six hits, while striking out three batters. Welsh finished 2-for-5 with five RBI and two runs scored. Mike Sweeney and All-ECC third baseman Brian Sanchez each collected three hits and scored three runs. Mulqueen went 3-for-4 with one run scored and three RBI. Mercy’s All-ECC First Team outfielder John Nisco finished 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Zach Alshine added two hits.
 
Molloy, the top-ranked team in the latest NCAA East Region rankings, will learn its NCAA Regional opponent, location, and game time during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, May 10, at 10 p.m. The selection show can be viewed live on NCAA.com.