BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College baseball team had juniors left fielder Mike Mittl, center fielder Austin Markowski and third baseman Evan Kulig each collect their 100th career hit in the Greyhounds' 14-4 non-conference victory over Albright College at Gillespie Field Thursday afternoon.
The trio helped the Hounds, who have won four straight to improve to 11-10 overall, connect for 18 hits in the game. Mittl was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs while Kulig went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Sophomore right fielder Carmine Palummo was 3-for-3 with four runs scored in the victory.
Mittl and Markowski entered the game each needing one hit to reach their milestone while Kulig needed two hits. Mittl was the first of the trio to get to 100 with a two-RBI single in the first inning, becoming Moravian's 32nd baseball player to 100 hits. Markowski roped an RBI double in the fifth inning for his 100th hit as the 33rd Greyhound to reach it while Kulig needed until the seventh inning when he hit an RBI single for number 100 as the 34th to the milestone.
"It's special for any one individual to get their 100th hit. To have all three guys get their 100th hit on the same day, is extraordinary," stated 12-year Head Coach Paul Engelhardt. "All three have grown together, and continue to get better at their craft. Each loves the game of baseball, and each earned this honor. For me, special moments come in a variety of ways. This will be a day I won't forget. I'm happy for each, and I know they have bigger goals to achieve. The next year and half holds unlimited opportunities for Evan, Michael and Austin. It's distinctly my pleasure to coach each of them."
Moravian used a planned pitching rotation in the game with senior Dan Morrin getting the start and the win after allowing an unearned run on two walks to go with four strikeouts in three innings of action. Senior Adam Howard gave up two runs on two hits and two walks with one strikeout in his inning of action while freshman Kyle Serman had one strikeout in an inning of work. Junior Brendon Caraway recorded on strikeout in two innings on the mound while junior Kevin Shields allowed an unearned run in his inning. Freshman Rodney Berger gave up three hits in the ninth inning.
The Blue and Grey scored five runs in the first inning to take the lead. Palummo started the frame with a bunt single and sophomore second baseman Ian Csencsits followed with a single before Kulig ripped an RBI single that scored Palummo. After a stolen base, Mittl connected on his two-RBI milestone single. Mittle stole second and Markowski reached on an error before Mittl raced across the plate on an RBI ground out by senior first baseman Joey Maker. Junior catcher Chase Rogers finished off the inning with an RBI double to bring Markowski home.
The Hounds added a run in the second inning when Palummo drew a leadoff walk and scored on an RBI ground out by Csencsits.
The Lions scored a run in the top of the third inning and two more in the fourth frame to cut the Moravian advantage in half to 6-3.
The Greyhounds answered with two runs in the fifth inning. Mittl led off with an infield single and raced all the way home to score on Markowski's milestone double. Markowski wouldn't wait long to be congratulated by his teammates as he came in on an RBI single from senior designated hitter David Wodzisz.
Moravian tacked on a run in the sixth inning when Mittl connected on an RBI sacrifice fly to bring home Palummo, who had walked to start the frame.
The Greyhounds would add four more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 13-3 lead. Senior first baseman Logan Welles led off with a solo home run to right field, his first homer of the season and second of his career. Freshman shortstop Michael Miceli tripled with one out and scored on an RBI single by Palummo. After an RBI double by junior second baseman Tim Heard scored Palummo, Heard crossed the plate on Kulig's milestone RBI hit.
Albright would score once in the top of the eighth before Moravian finished off the scoring in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI double by senior pinch hitter Clay Weidemoyer that scored sophomore pinch hitter Kole Rodrigues, who had started the inning with a single.
The Hounds are slated to return to action with a three-game Landmark Conference series at Susquehanna University beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 7 starting at 12:30 pm. in Selinsgrove.
