The Moravian College baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader with SUNY Institute of Technology at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational Wednesday with the Wildcats winning the first game, 6-5 in eight innings, and the Greyhounds taking the second game, 3-2.
In the opener, Moravian took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Junior first baseman Kevin O'Keefe, pictured at right, doubled with two outs and scored on an RBI single from senior outfielder Mike Zubia.
The Greyhounds added a run in the top of the second for a 2-0 lead. Junior designated hitter Gregg Steinman drew a walk to start the inning and scored when O'Keefe was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
SUNY IT scored three times in the bottom of the third to take a 3-2 lead. Shortstop John Leclair walked to start the inning and scored on an RBI single from designated hitter Michael McGrone. McGrone and outfielder Dan Orza both crossed the plate on a Moravian error.
Moravian would tie the contest with a run on the top of the fourth inning. O'Keefe reached on a fielder's choice with one out and eventually stole home.
The Wildcats retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth with two more runs on RBI singles by outfielder Anthony Surber and Orza.
The Greyhounds pulled within a run, 5-4, in the top of the fifth. Senior outfielder Jason Huber singles with two outs, stole second base and scored on an RBI double from senior second baseman Jake Schweitzer, pictured at left.
Moravian tied the game in the top of the seventh when O'Keefe hit a two-out RBI double to push Huber across the plate.
SUNY IT scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth when Surber hit an RBI single up the middle with the bases loaded.
The Greyhounds had an 11-9 edge in hits in the first game with O'Keefe going two-for-three. Schweitzer, junior catcher Austin Rock and sophomore outfielder Rocco Del Priore each went two-for-four for Moravian. Surber led the Wildcats with a three-for-five performance.
Freshman Chris Soltys started on the mound for Moravian and allowed five runs, three earned, on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts in five-plus innings of action.
Freshman Anthony Perez Florido tossed one inning for the Greyhounds while freshman Evan Bray suffered the loss, giving up an unearned run on two hits and two walks with one strikeout in 1 1/3 innings of action. Daniel Wiecek earned the win in relief for the Wildcats.
In the second contest, Moravian once again jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first. Huber drew a walk to lead off and stole second base. After a ground out, Huber would score on an RBI ground out by O'Keefe. The run scored for Huber was the 118th of his career, tying the school record.
The Greyhounds pushed their lead to 2-0 with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Schweitzer led off with a bunt single, and he eventually scored on an RBI ground out from junior catcher Blake Shortall.
SUNY IT tied the contest in the fourth inning. McCrone led off with a double and scored on an RBI single from second baseman Jim Sass. Sass, who stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch, would score on an RBI ground out from third baseman Lance Bull.
Moravian would get the winning run in the bottom half of the fifth inning. Senior shortstop Matt Pezzato reached on a walk with one out and scored on a bases loaded error by the Wildcats.
SUNY IT had a 6-3 edge in hits in the second contest with Leclair going two-for-four.
Moravian freshman pitcher Jason Jamula earned his first collegiate victory on the mound, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks with two strikeouts in five innings of action. Junior Kyle Longernecker picked up his second save of the year for the Greyhounds, giving up one hit and striking out two batters in two innings of action.
The Wildcats used four pitchers in the second game with Tyler Miles suffering the loss.
