PUNTA GORDA, FL – The Moravian College baseball team defeated nationally-ranked #10 Heidelberg University, 5-2, Sunday afternoon in the Snowbird Classic in Florida. Senior pitcher Brendan Close pitched a complete game while striking out six and only allowing one earned run.
The contest would remain scoreless going into the bottom of the third as Close would strike out the side to end the inning.
Senior shortstop Dave Zubia would start the top of the fourth with a walk. He would then steal second. Classmate first baseman Kevin O'Keefe would hit an RBI double to drive him home for the first run of the game. Senior designated hitter Austin Rock followed with another RBI double. Classmate third baseman Gregg Steinman then hit a single to right field while driving home O'Keefe for a 3-0 lead after the top of the fourth.
Heidelberg started the bottom of the fourth with sophomore outfielder Ben Blystone reaching on an error. Senior outfielder Ricardo Lizcano then walked while freshman infielder Steve Morse then drove home Blystone with a RBI single. Senior outfielder Elvin Williams would single then to load the bases. Close would give up one more run in the inning while leaving the fourth with a 3-2 lead.
Moravian would add another run in the sixth after single from O'Keefe and he would get home with a sacrifice from freshman outfielder Matt Hanson to take a 4-2 lead.
Heidelberg would get two runners on in the bottom half of the second, but Close would escape the inning unscathed.
The Greyhounds went up 5-2 in the ninth after sophomore outfielder Matt Hanson singled with two outs. He would then get home off a throwing error from the catcher.
Close would end the game with a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth to pick up his second win of the season.
O'Keefe went 2-for-3 with two runs scored a one RBI while Rock went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored. Connell went 1-for-5 with a run scored while Steinman was 2-for-4 with one RBI.
Lizcano lead Heidelberg by going 1-for-3 with one run scored while Morse was 1-for-4 with a RBI.
Moravian returns to action tomorrow, March 5th as they take on John Carroll University in a double-header in the Snowbird Classic. Game one is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. while game two is set to start at 1:30 p.m.
