MADISON, N.J. --- The Moravian College baseball team split a pair of games versus Drew University Saturday afternoon, falling 7-6 in the first game and winning 8-0, to finish up a Landmark Conference series in New Jersey.
In the opener, seniors right fielder Matt Hanson and shortstop Colin Case went 2-for-4 at the plate as Hanson moved into sole possession of second place in the Moravian record books, now with 178 career hits. Sophomore center fielder Anthony Gaetaniello, junior first basemen Charles Savite, junior third basemen Alex Bull and seniors designated hitter Ryan Luke and second basemen Alex Longernecker all had hits as well.
Moravian trailed 3-0 heading into the visitor's portion of the third inning. Bull singled through the right side to get the Greyhounds started. Longernecker connected on a double to right field advancing Bull to third. Hanson reached on a fielder's choice scoring the first run of the inning and putting another runner in scoring position. Gaetaniello also reached on a fielder choice scoring Longernecker. Back-to-back singles by Case and Savite with the tying run coming across the plate on Savite's hit.
The Rangers tacked on another three runs in the fourth, but the Hounds answered with three runs of their own tying things at six apiece in the fifth inning with Hanson doubling to right center to start the top half of the inning. Gaetaniello singled through the left side advancing the runner while Case doubled to right field for an RBI. Just one run was all Drew needed and they got it in the sixth inning edging out the Blue and Grey by a single run.
Freshman Dan Morrin got the start on the mound pitching 3.2 innings while junior Ian Carbone came in to finish the game throwing the 2.1 innings with three strikeouts without allowing a walk.
In the final contest of the three-game Landmark series, the Greyhounds jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Junior designated hitter Cameron Leon doubled with one out and moved senior left fielder Justin Pilchman, who was walked, to second. Junior catcher Dylan Runne drove in the first run of the game with a single through the left side while Longernecker followed him up with an RBI single through the right side.
With hot bats, the Greyhounds added three more runs in the third inning. Gaetaniello singled and then stole second to start the inning, and he would advance to third on Case's single to right field. A single to left center by Savite scored Gaetaniello and advanced Case to third. Pilchman laid down a sacrifice bunt to score another run. Back-to-back Hounds were hit by a pitch loading the bases for Runne, who connected on an RBI sacrifice fly out to center field for the final run of the inning.
With a runner on third, Savite singled to make it 6-0 Greyhounds in the top of the fourth. An ining later in the top of the fifth with two outs, Runne double to right field. Longernecker reached first by being walked, both runners would advance on a wild pitch. Hanson would knock in both runners with a two-RBI single. On the next batter, Hanson stole second to move into a three-way tie for first place in school history with 50 stolen bases.
Freshman hurler Ryan Kahn earned the win on the mound for the Hounds as he improve to 2-1 on the season with his first career shutout. Kahn scattered a pair of hits and walked five batters while adding two strikeouts in the victory.
The Greyhounds are scheduled to return to action on Monday, April 6 when the squad travels to No. 5 Kean University for a 3:30 p.m non-conference game.
