BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Junior right fielder Carmine Palummo became the latest Moravian College baseball player to reach the 100-hit milestone as the Greyhounds defeated The University of Scranton, 9-6, in the opening game a Landmark Conference series at Gillespie Field.
The Greyhounds, now 15-15-1 overall and 8-5 in Landmark Conference action, had 15 hits in the contest including Palummo going 5-for-5 with three runs. Senior third baseman Tim Heard went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, a home run and a pair of runs scored while sophomore designated hitter Thomas Philipps and senior left fielder Mike Mittl each went 2-for-5. Senior first baseman Evan Kulig had a triple in the game while senior center fielder Austin Markowski added a double and two RBIs.
Senior Rhett Jacoby made the start on the mound for the Hounds, allowing six runs on seven hits and a walk to go with four strikeouts in five innings of action. Senior Tyler Caraway improved to 4-1 on the year with four innings of scoreless relief as he allowed a hit and two walks while striking out two batters.
The Royals jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
The Blue and Grey answered with three runs in the bottom half of the first to take a 3-2 edge. Palummo led off the inning with a single to left field as he became the 36th Greyhound to 100 career hits, joining Kulig, Markowski, Mittl and junior second baseman Ian Csencsits in the 100-hit club. After an out, Kulig reached on an error before an RBI double down the left field line by Markowski scored Palummo. Heard connected on an RBI single to left center to bring in Kulig while Markowski crossed the plate on an RBI ground out from Philipps.
Scranton knotted the score at 3-3 with a run in the top of the third.
Moravian would respond with two runs in the bottom half of the frame to move back ahead 5-3. Markowski draw a two-out walk before Heard connected on a 1-1 pitch for a two-run homer to right field, his second home run of the season and his career.
The Royals plated a run in the top of the fourth; however, the Greyhounds scored a run in the bottom of the fourth to keep the two-run lead. Palummo and Csencsits each singled with two outs before Kulig drew a walk to load the bases. Markowski hit a ground ball to shortstop but Kulig would beat the throw to second on the fielder's choice and Palummo raced home.
Scranton scored twice in the top of the fifth inning to tie the game once again at 6-6.
The Hounds scored three times in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead for good. Palummo started the frame with his fifth hit of the game, and he raced in from first base on an RBI triple to right center field as the Royals' outfielder collided while going after a line drive in the gap. After an out and an intentional walk to Heard, Philipps connected on an RBI single to right field that brought in Kulig. Mittl followed with an RBI double down the left field line as Heard scored the final run of the game.
Moravian and Scranton will not finish the three-game Landmark Conference series until Saturday, May 4 when the Royals return to Gillespie Field for a doubleheader beginning at 12:30 p.m.
The Greyhounds are slated to return to action on Saturday, April 20 in a non-conference doubleheader versus the United States Merchant Marine Academy beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Gillespie Field.
