HAMPDEN SYDNEY, Va. --- The Moravian College baseball team opened its 2018 season with a 1-0 victory over Stevenson (Md.) University in the first game of the Floyd B. Wilcox Memorial Tournament being played at Hampden-Sydney (Va.) College Friday.
Junior Rhett Jacoby made the start on the mound for the Greyhounds, and he scattered two hits and struck out five in seven innings of action. Freshman Rodney Berger tossed the final two innings and allowed just one hit.
Moravian had 13 hits in the game with junior center fielder Austin Markowski going 3-for-4 with two runs. Junior third baseman Evan Kulig was 2-for-5 with five RBIs and a pair of runs scored while senior designated hitter Joey Maker went 2-for-3 and junior left fielder Mike Mittl was 2-for-5.
The Greyhounds jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore second baseman Ian Csencsits drew a one-out walk and moved to third on a double by Markowski. Kulig reached on an error that allowed Csencsits to score, and Mittl followed with an RBI bunt single as Markowski raced across the plate. Junior catcher Chase Rogers finished off the scoring when he drew a bases loaded walk to push Kulig home.
The Hounds added three more runs the bottom of the fourth to double the lead to 6-0. Maker led off with a bunt single, and he scored on an RBI bunt single by sophomore right fielder Carmine Palummo. Markowski ended up drawing a walk to load the bases before Kulig ripped a two-out, two-RBI single to plate Palummo and junior shortstop Matt Stalter, who had singled earlier in the inning.
The Blue and Grey extended the advantage to 7-0 with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Mittl led off with a single, stole second base and scored on an RBI double by Rogers.
Moravian plated three runs in the bottom of the eighth to stretch the lead to 10-0. Freshman pinch hitter Michael Miceli led off the frame with a single, and he moved to third on a single off of Markowski's bat. Kulig followed with a two-RBI double as Miceli scored and Markowski raced home from first base. Kulig eventually crossed the plate on an RBI fielder's choice by senior pinch hitter Clay Weidemoyer.
The Greyhounds are scheduled to return to action on Saturday, February 24 when the squad takes on host Hampden-Sydney in the second day of the Floyd B. Wilcox Memorial Tournament with first pitch set for 11:00 a.m.
