BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College baseball team and visiting Alvernia University combined for 28 runs and 28 hits in a 14-14 non-conference tie at Gillespie Field Wednesday afternoon in a game shortened to six innings due to darkness after three hours and 28 minutes of action.
The Greyhounds, now 14-15-1 this spring, had 16 hits with senior designated hitter Mike Mittl going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a double. Sophomore left fielder Thomas Philipps was 3-for-4 with four RBIs, two doubles and a pair of runs while senior third baseman Tim Heard was 2-for-2 with three RBIs and two runs while junior right fielder Carmine Palummo was 2-for-3 and freshman shortstop Royce Frazier went 2-for-4. Junior second baseman Ian Csencsits scored three times and had a triple while senior center fielder Austin Markowski also scored three times and connected on his 18th career home run.
The Hounds used seven pitchers in the contest with sophomore Rodney Berger making the start and picking up three strikeouts in 2.2 innings of action. Senior Billy Roethke and sophomore Kyle Serman each tossed an inning while senior Brendon Caraway pitched two-thirds of an inning. Senior Kevin Shields and freshman Kyle Petsch each tossed a third of an inning while sophomore Kevin Brandt also made an appearance on the mound.
The Golden Wolves scored a run in the top of the first inning to take the lead.
The Blue and Grey responded with three runs in the bottom of the first frame for a 3-1 edge. Senior first baseman Evan Kulig drew a two-out walk before Markowski was hit by a pitch. Heard followed with an RBI single to right center as Kulig raced across the plate before Philipps connected on a two-RBI double to right field that scored Markowski and Heard.
Moravian added five more runs in the bottom of the second to push the advantage to 8-1. Frazier led off the frame with a single and Csencsits reached on an error before Markowski drew a walk to load the bases with two outs. Heard followed with a two-RBI single to center field as Frazier and Csencsits crossed the plate while Philipps had an RBI single to score Markowski. Mittl finished off the inning with a two-RBI double down the left field line as Heard and Phillips raced home.
Alvernia answered with four runs in the third inning, three in the fourth and three more in the fifth to take an 11-8 lead.
The Greyhounds responded with five runs in the bottom of the fifth to move back in front, 13-11. Palummo led off with a single and raced home on an RBI triple by Csencsits into the corner in right field, and Csencsits raced home on a wild pitch before Markowski connected on a solo homer to right field, his third home run of the season. Freshman David Bertolotti connected on a pinch hit single before Philipps ripped an RBI double to right field as Bertolotti circled the bases. Mittl finished off the inning with an RBI single that brought Philipps home.
The Golden Wolves retook the lead with three runs in the top of the sixth frame for a 14-13 edge.
The Hounds answered with a run on the bottom half of the sixth to knot the score at 14-14 when the umpires met and determined that squads would not be able to complete another full inning due to darkness. For the Blue and Grey in the sixth, Csencsits reached on a fielder's choice before Markowski drew another walk. Bertolotti followed with an RBI single to right field as Csencsits beat the throw home to tie the game. Markowski would move to third on the hit but was stranded there when Alvernia retired Philipps for the first time in the contest to end the inning.
Moravian is slated to return to action on Thursday, April 18 in a Landmark Conference game versus The University of Scranton at Blue & Grey Field with first pitch moved up to 3:30 p.m.
