BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Moravian College baseball team defeated rival Muhlenberg College, 7-3, Tuesday afternoon in a Matte Award Game. Senior pitcher Kyle Longernecker would earn his second victory of the season after pitching five innings in relief while striking out three, and not allowing a run.
Sophomore pitcher Rob Solano would give up a lead-off single to start the first inning, but he would settle down and get two strikeouts and a ground out to get out of the inning.
Junior pitcher Rob Shannon would get the nod for the Mules, and he would strike out the first batter of the inning, but walk sophomore second baseman Daniel Seitzinger. Seitzinger would then steal second, and advance to third on a ground out. Senior first baseman Kevin O'Keefe then hit a bunt single to score Seitzinger to put the Greyhounds up 1-0 after the first inning.
Solano would put up a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the second, capped by a strikeout to end the inning.
Longernecker would start the top of the fourth for Moravian. He set down the Mules in order with a ground out and two fly outs to keep the game a 1-0, Moravian.
O'Keefe would get on in the bottom of the second after getting hit by a pitch. Senior designated hitter Austin Rock followed with a single through the left side. Both would advance up a base after a sacrifice bunt. Freshman outfielder Justin Pilchman and senior catcher Blake Shortall would hit back-to-back RBI singles through the left side to make the score 3-0, Greyhounds after four innings.
Sophomore outfielder Joseph Connell would start the bottom of the fifth with a lead-off single for Moravian. Shannon would then walk the next batter, Seitzinger to put two men on with zero outs. Senior shortstop Dave Zubia then reached on a fielder's choice. O'Keefe was then hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Rock then hit a RBI single to right field. Senior third baseman Gregg Steinman followed with a single through the left side to put the Greyhounds up 6-0. Mules' freshman Austin Cush would get a double play to get out the inning.
Sophomore outfielder Harrison Fonteix would reach base on an error in the sixth. He would then work his way to third base, and Seitzinger would lay down a squeeze bunt to score Fonteix.
The Mules would tack on three runs in the bottom of the ninth as the Greyhounds would go onto win 7-3.
Steinman led Moravian by going 3-for-3 with two RBIs while Seitzinger went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, a stolen base and a RBI. O'Keefe had two RBIs while going 1-for-2 from the plate. Rock went 2-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI. Solano went three innings in the start while striking out three, and only allowing three hits.
Shannon earned the loss for Muhlenberg after going 4.1 innings and giving up six runs. Sophomore catcher Brett Rosen led the Mules with one RBI while going 3-for-4. Senior designated hitter Nick Busillo went 1-for-4 with one run scored while freshman second baseman Chris Manfredonia went 1-for-4 with one RBI.
Moravian travels to Alvernia University tomorrow, March 14th for a non-conference contest. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
