Dowling College

Central Islip, NY - After missing their graduation due to playing in the NCAA Tournament, three seniors on the Dowling College Baseball team finally got a chance to don their gowns by graduating in a special ceremony before the Long Island Ducks game verse the Somerset Patriots on Monday night.

Ryan Gemma, Kevin McCormack, and David Wendt all missed out on their chance to attend graduation as the Golden Lions were on their way to clinching their first ever World Series appearance at the East Regionals at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire. However the three seniors would not be denied their chance to experience graduation.

In a ceremony held behind home plate at Citibank Park home of the Atlantic League's Long Island Ducks, Gemma, McCormack, and Wendt all received their degrees.

The three seniors were joined on the field by Head Coach Chris Celano and Vice President for Athletics and Institutional Advancement Rick Cole Jr. The trio received their degrees from Dowling College President Robert J. Gaffney and Ducks owner and Dowling College Trustee Frank Boulton.

All three played a part of the Golden Lions' success in their record breaking 35 win season. Ryan Gemma made 7 appearances out of the Golden Lions bullpen, posting a 4.35 ERA in 10.1 innings. McCormack was a East Coast Conference All-Conference Second Team selection after recording a 2-5 record with a 3.01 ERA in 83.2 innings. Wendt, who finished his career among the program's all-time leaders in hits, doubles, RBI's, and stolen bases, had a strong finish to his Dowling career. In the Golden Lions first ever appearance in the Division II College World Series Wendt led the team in hitting going 4-for-11 for a .364 average in the tournament. On the season, Wendt compiled a .299 batting average with 12 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homeruns, and 28 RBI's.

Wendt and McCormack graduate with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, while Gemma earns a Bachelor Degree of Arts.