MONTCLAIR, N.J. --- The Moravian College baseball team scored three times in the top of the eighth inning to rally to a 7-5 non-conference victory over Montclair State University at Yogi Berra Stadium Thursday afternoon.
The Greyhounds jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when senior catcher Matthew Gutkes ripped a two-out, 2 RBI single to plate junior outfielder Matt Hanson and sophomore first baseman Charles Savite.
Moravian would extend that lead to 4-0 with two more runs in the top of the second. Sophomore catcher Mike Roethke led off with a double, and he came around to score on an RBI single by senior shortstop Daniel Seitzinger. Hanson added an RBI double later in the inning to chase Seitzinger across the plate.
The Red Hawks cracked the scoreboard for a pair of runs in the bottom half of the second to cut Moravian's lead in half. Montclair State then tied the game with two more runs in the bottom of the third before taking a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Hounds needed just two batters in the top of the eighth to tie the game again as junior second baseman Alex Longernecker started the inning with a single and scored from first on an RBI double by Seitzinger. After an out and a Montclair State error, Savite hit an RBI single to score junior third baseman Ryan Luke with the go-ahead run. Junior Joey DiSarno connected on an RBI fielder's choice to send Hanson across the plate for an insurance run.
Senior closer Chris Soltys retired eight of the nine batters he faced over the final 2 2/3 innings for the Greyhounds to improve to 3-0 on the year with his third appearance of more than two innings. Soltys allowed just one hit and no walks while striking out five batters to raise his career total to 93 strikeouts.
Senior Thomas Mariano tossed the first 3 2/3 innings for Moravian, allowing four runs, just two earned with six hits, a walk and a strikeouts. Senior Ben Hammel and sophomore Ian Carbone each pitched 1 1/3 innings for the Hounds.
The Hounds had a 11-10 edge in hits in the game with Gutkes going 3-for-4. Hanson was 2-for-4 at the plate while Seitzinger was 2-for-5.
Moravian is slated to return to action on Saturday, March 29 in a Landmark Conference doubleheader at Juniata College beginning at 1:00 p.m.
