BEL AIR, Md. --- The Moravian College and The University of Scranton baseball teams traveled to Harford Community College in Bel Air, Maryland Sunday to play their Landmark Conference doubleheader originally scheduled for Gillespie Field on Saturday, and the Royals posted wins of 5-3 in eight innings and 6-5 in the Landmark Conference twinbill.
The squads were able to use the all-turf field at the Harford Sports Complex after Gillespie Field was unplayable after the snow this past Friday blanketed the field.
In the opener, senior shortstop Colin Case was 2-for-4 at the plate with a pair of RBIs while sophomore center fielder Anthony Gaetaniello collected two hits in five at-bats.
The Royals jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the second inning, and they doubled the lead to 2-0 in the top of the third.
Moravian broke onto the scoreboard in the home half of the third frame. Senior right fielder Matt Hanson singled with an out and stole second base, the 46th of his career to move into sole possession of third place in school history. Hanson would score on an RBI double by junior designated hitter Charles Savite.
The Greyhounds took a 3-2 lead with a pair of runs in the fourth inning when Case dropped a two-RBI double down the left field line that scored junior second baseman Alex Bull, who had reached on fielder's choice, and Gaetaniello, who had singled.
Scranton tied the game with two outs in the top of the seventh inning, and the Royals scored twice in the top of the eighth, again with two outs in the inning.
The Hounds used four pitchers in the opener. Freshman Dan Morrin tossed the first five innings, allowing two runs, just one earned, on seven hits and two walks to go with three strikeouts in the no decision. Junior Ian Carbone tossed his first two innings of the year, giving up a run on three hits and one strikeout. Junior Brett Wagner and freshman Ryan Kahn combined to pitch the eighth inning for the Blue & Grey.
Both squads had nine hits in the second game with Case and Hanson each going 2-for-4 for Moravian while senior outfielder Justin Pilchman was 2-for-3.
Once again, Scranton took the lead in the second game with two runs in the top of the first inning.
Moravian answered with three runs in the bottom of the first to take a 3-2 lead. Case and Hanson each singled with one out and Savite followed with an RBI double down the left field line to plate Case. Pilchman followed with an RBI single that scored Hanson to knot the score. After junior catcher Mike Roethke was hit by a pitch to load the bases, freshman first baseman Logan Welles ripped an RBI single through the left side of the infield to chase Savite across home plate with the go-ahead run.
The Greyhounds extended their advantage to 5-2 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. Senior second baseman Alex Longernecker drew a walk to start the frame, and he scored on an RBI triple down the right field line by Case. Hanson followed with an RBI single through the left side.
Scranton scored a run on the top of the third and another in the top of the fourth to pull within a run at 5-4. The Royals added another run in the top of the sixth to tie the game at 5-5 before going ahead with a run on the top of the seventh.
Freshman John Wiedmayer started on the mound for the Hounds, and he tossed the first four innings while freshman Adam Howard and junior Hunter Guard each saw action for the Greyhounds.
Moravian is scheduled to return to action on Tuesday, March 24 when the squad plays its fourth nationally-ranked team of the season in a non-conference road game at No. 17 Misericordia University beginning at 3:30 p.m.