BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Freshman outfielder Robert Roman connected on a two-out, two-RBI walk-off single to cap a three-run ninth inning rally to give the Moravian College baseball team a 9-8 non-conference victory over visiting Messiah College Thursday afternoon in a contest that lasted just over four hours.
The Greyhounds, now 19-18-1 overall, had nine hits with junior right fielder Carmine Palummo going 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Senior catcher Chase Rogers was also 2-for-3 while sophomore first baseman/outfielder Thomas Philipps scored three times.
The Blue and Grey sent four pitchers to the mound with senior Tyler Caraway improving to 6-1 on the year with the win in relief as he tossed the final two innings with one strikeout. Senior Brendon Caraway made the start on the hill and registered five strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work while freshman Scott Poulson had two strikeouts in 1.1 innings of work. Junior Connor Morro tossed one inning with a strikeout.
Moravian jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Palummo led off the inning with a double and scored on a wild pitch as senior center fielder Austin Markowski drew a walk.
The Falcons answered with a pair of runs in the top of the second frame to take a 2-1 lead.
The Greyhounds moved back in front with a four-run second inning. Philipps reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a delayed steal as sophomore shortstop Michael Miceli stole second base with Philipps slide knocking the ball loose at the plate. Miceli would race home on an RBI single by Palummo. Junior second baseman Ian Csencsits connected on a single to move Palummo into scoring position for an RBI single by senior designated hitter Evan Kulig. Csencsits scored the final run of the inning on another wild pitch.
Messiah would score four times in the top of the fifth to move ahead 6-5.
The Blue and Grey answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth to knot the game at 6-6. Philipps reached on an infield single to begin the frame before moving to third on a wild pitch. Freshman shortstop Royce Frazier followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to bring in Philipps.
The Falcons scored single runs in the top of the sixth and seventh innings to move back in front 8-6.
The Hounds plated three runs in the bottom of the ninth for the walk-off win as darkness fell on Gillespie Field. Philipps and senior catcher Andrew Koenig each drew walks before a pitching change. Frazier drew another walk to load the bases before Philipps race home on an RBI sacrifice fly by sophomore first baseman Brett Moyer. Senior second baseman Joey Ferolie was hit by a pitch to load the bases again, and after the second out of the inning, Roman connected on a 1-0 pitch and ripped a two-RBI single through the hole at shortstop as Koenig and Frazier scored to end the game.
The Greyhounds will close out the 2019 regular season on Saturday, May 4 when the squad hosts The University of Scranton in a Landmark Conference doubleheader beginning at 12:30 p.m. at Gillespie Field as the Hounds celebrate their 13 seniors on Senior Day. Moravian enters the game needing one win to clinch the second seed in the 2019 Landmark Conference Tournament that will begin on Friday, May 10 at Scranton.
