BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Moravian College seniors first baseman/pitcher Evan Kulig and center fielder Austin Markowski each registered the 100th RBI of their careers on Saturday; however, the Greyhounds dropped a non-conference doubleheader to visiting The United States Merchant Marine Academy, 10-8 and 4-3, at Gillespie Field.
The Hounds, who wore special pink and white jerseys for their Breast Cancer Awareness game, collected 12 hits in the opening game with Kulig going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a double as he became the sixth Moravian player to 100 career RBIs. Senior left fielder Mike Mittl was 2-for-3 in the contest.
Freshman Eddie Olsen made the start on the mound with five strikeouts in 3.1 innings of action while freshman Scott Poulson registered three strikeouts in 3.2 innings.
USMMA scored five runs in the top of the first inning to begin the opener.
The Blue and Grey responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first frame. Junior second baseman Ian Csencsits singled with one out and race home on an RBI double to right center by Kulig, and Kulig raced home on a wild pitch later in the inning.
After the Mariners scored a run in the top of the second for a 6-2 lead, senior catcher Chase Rogers hit a solo home run down the left field line that snuck inside the foul pole to make it a 6-3 contest. The homer was Rogers' first homer of the season and fourth of his career.
USMMA tacked on another run in the top of the third to push its edge to 7-3.
Moravian plated three runs in the bottom half of the third to cut it to a one-run game at 7-6. Kulig and Markowski hit one-out singles to put runners on the corners. Senior third baseman Tim Heard hit an RBI fielder's choice with Markowski beating the throw to second and Kulig scoring. Sophomore designated hitter Thomas Philipps followed with an RBI single as Markowski scored while Heard would race across the plate on an error.
The Mariners scored three times in the top of the fifth inning for a 10-6 lead.
The Hounds answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth when Heard doubled with one out and scored on an RBI single from Mittl. Moravian scored the final run of the game in the sixth inning when junior right fielder Carmine Palummo reached on a fielder's choice and raced home from second base on an RBI single by Kulig for his 100th career RBI.
Moravian had eight more hits in the second contest with Kulig going 3-for-4 again while Markowski connected on a three-run homer to get to his RBI milestone.
Kulig made the start on the mound in the game, striking out eight batters in seven innings of work. Junior Connor Morro tossed the final two innings with one strikeout.
The Greyhounds took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Csencsits and Kulig each hit two-out singles before Markowski connected on his fourth home run of the season to center field. The round tripper was the 19th of Markowski's career, moving him one away from tying Bob Frey's record set from 2000-2003.
USMMA cut the deficit to 3-2 with a pair of runs in the sixth inning, and the Mariners scored twice in the top of the eighth inning to take the lead.
Moravian is scheduled to close out a five-game home stand on Wednesday, April 25 when the squad hosts DeSales University in a non-conference game beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Gillespie Field.
