MADISON, N.J. --- The Moravian College baseball team split a Landmark Conference doubleheader at Drew University Saturday, falling 5-4 in the first game before capturing the second contest 2-1 in nine innings.
The two teams will close out their three-game series on Sunday, April 28th with the Greyhounds earning a berth in the 2013 Landmark Conference Tournament with a victory.
In the opener, the Rangers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single by junior designated hitter Mark Alessio. Drew would extend the lead to 2-0 in the third on a two-out, solo home run by senior outfielder Michael Bodden.
The Greyhounds got on the scoreboard with a run in the top of the fourth. Sophomore third baseman Ryan Luke reach on an error with two outs and scored on an RBI single by freshman catcher Mike Roethke.
Moravian scored twice in the top of the fifth inning for a 3-2 lead. Sophomore outfielder Matt Hanson singled with one out and scored on a sacrifice RBI grounder by junior outfielder Joseph Connell while freshman first baseman Charles Savite reached on a fielder's choice and put the Greyhounds in front on an RBI double by Luke.
The Rangers answered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to retake the lead 5-3. Bodden and freshman third baseman Mike Klinger had RBI singles in the inning while freshman second baseman Anthony Feltre had an RBI sacrifice.
The Greyhounds chased a run across the plate in the top of the sixth inning as Drew committed three errors in the inning allowing Roethke to score.
Drew had a 7-5 edge in hits in the first game with Bodden and sophomore shortstop Steve Kowalski each going two-for-three.
Sophomore Chris Lansberry took the loss on the mound for Moravian, allowing five runs on six hits and a walk to go with two strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings of action. Junior Chris Soltys pitched the final 1 1/3 innings with a hit and a strikeout for the Greyhounds. Sophomore Alex Taylor earned the win for Drew while senior Pat Rock picked up the save.
In the second game, Moravian took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third. Freshman second baseman Alex Bull singled with one out and scored on a two-out RBI double by Hanson.
The Rangers tied the game in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single from junior catcher Matthew Kaplon.
The Greyhounds broke the tie in the top of the ninth inning to earn the victory. Junior pinch hitter Matthew Gutkes was hit by a pitch with two outs, and after a single by Bull, sophomore Alex Longernecker came on to pinch run for Gutkes. Freshman outfielder Jimmy McCarthy followed with an RBI single that saw Longernecker score the winning run.
Moravian had a 10-7 edge in hits in the second game with Bull going two-for-two. Hanson was two-for-four in the game for the Greyhounds while sophomore shortstop Colin Case and McCarthy were both two-for-five. Kaplon was two-for-four to lead the Rangers.
Soltys improved to 3-1 on the mound for the Greyhounds, allowing just two hits in two innings of action. Junior Robert Solano pitched the first seven innings for Moravian and gave up one run on five hits and three walks to go with three strikeouts. Rock took the loss in relief for Drew with three innings of action.
The Greyhounds and the Rangers will complete the series on Sunday, April 28th with a nine-inning game beginning at 12:00 p.m.
