BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College baseball team defeated Alvernia University, 16-4, in non-conference action Thursday afternoon at Gillespie Field.
Moravian had 15 hits in the game with senior left fielder Justin Pilchman going 3-for-4. Junior first basemen Charles Savite and sophomore centerfielder Anthony Gaetaniello both went 2-for-4 on the afternoon.
It was a quiet first two innings as both teams went scoreless and hitless. The Crusaders would take a 2-0 lead in the top of the third but the Greyhounds answered with six runs in the bottom half of the inning. Senior second basemen Alex Longernecker singled to first base while Gaetaniello and senior shortstop Colin Case drew walks to load the bases. Senior designated hitter Ryan Luke singled through the right side two tie the game, 2-2, and advancing the runner to third. With those two RBIs, Luke became the fifth Greyhound to reach 100 career RBIs with 101. With runners in scoring position, senior right fielder Matt Hanson put the ball in play to take the lead of the game. Two down, runner on third, Savite singled to score another run bringing up Pilchman, who would double to center tacking on another run. Junior third basemen Alex Bull would knock in the final run of the inning with a single up the middle.
The Hounds played tough defense with a quick three up, three down to come back in looking for more runs. Gaetaniello led off with an infield single to the shortstop and would score after Case drew a walk and both Hanson and Savite were hit by a pitches. Pilchman singled to center scoring the final run of the inning.
Alvernina added two runs in the top of the sixth but yet again the Blue and Grey countered with three runs to keep the lead, 11-4. Luke started the inning off with single by bunting down the third base line. A fielder's choice would have Hanson on first that brought in junior Cameron Leon as a pinch runner. After a throwing error, Pilchman added another single to left center for an RBI bringing up Bull who doubled to left field for another two runs.
The Hounds would start the eighth inning off with Leon on first after drawing a walk. Savite doubled down the right field line for his eight double of the season, tying him for 10th in Moravian record books with 25 career doubles. Pilchman would be hit by a pitch to load the bases, brining up Bull who would single to third scoring a run while Savite took advantage of a throwing error for another run. Junior Mike Roethke singled to left field for an RBI. Gaetaniello doubled to deep left center for an RBI, and a sacrifice fly from Case would score the final run of the game, 16-4.
On the mound, freshman Bryan Schoch got the start and his first collegiate win for Moravian tossing five innings with five strikeouts. Junior Ian Carbone, senior Chris Lansberry, freshman Nicholas Mazzella and junior Brett Wagner all threw one inning to close out the game.
The Hounds are slated to return to action on Saturday, April 25 when the squad hosts The United States Merchant Marine Academy in a Landmark Conference game with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Senior Day.
