BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Moravian College baseball team defeated The Catholic University of America, 18-3, Sunday afternoon. Sophomore outfielder Joseph Connell led the way for the Greyhounds, going 5-for-6 with a triple, two doubles, three runs scored and four RBIs.
Freshman pitcher Chris Lansberry would give up a lead-off double to senior outfielder Tommy Little of Catholic, but he would strand the runner and get out of the inning unscathed.
Sophomore pitcher Robin Mowatt would get the start for the Cardinals, and he would give up a lead-off double to Connell. Senior shortstop Dave Zubia would drive him home with an infield single for a quick 1-0 lead. Senior first baseman Kevin O'Keefe followed with a double to center field. Classmate designated hitter Austin Rock would drive Zubia home with a sacrifice fly to center. Senior Gregg Steinman then drove home O'Keefe with a deep shot to left field that netted him a double for a 3-0 lead after the first.
Lansberry would throw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the second, forcing two ground outs and a line out. He threw his second straight 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third off of two grounders and a strikeout.
Lansberry would hit a batter and walk a batter in the top of the fourth, but stranded the runners to keep the contest at 3-0, Moravian.
Moravian would explode for six runs in the bottom of the fourth as Steinman, freshman outfielder Matt Hanson and senior catcher Blake Shortall started the inning by loading the bases with three straight singles. Sophomore outfielder Harrison Fonteix then ripped a double to left field to score two runs for the Greyhounds. Connell followed with a two RBI triple to center field. Sophomore second baseman Daniel Seitzinger then squeezed a hit through the right side to score Connell. Rock would drive in Seitzinger with a single through the left side.
Senior first baseman Dave Grear and senior infielder Tim Mierzwa would get back-to-back singles for the Cardinals, but Lansberry would keep them on base and get out of the sixth inning.
Connell would collect his fourth hit of the day in the bottom of the sixth. O'Keefe would get on with a fielder's choice, and Rock would get on from a walk. Steinman then hit a two RBI single right over the shortstops head. Hanson followed with a RBI single down the left field line. Sophomore catcher Matthew Gutkes and Fonteix would hit back-to-back RBI singles for a 14-0 lead after six innings.
Moravian would add four more runs and Catholic would add three runs in the ninth as the Greyhounds would win 18-3.
Lansberry earned his second win of the spring after throwing six shutout innings while striking out two. Steinman went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored while Hanson went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Fonteix finished with three RBIs and two hits while Rock has two RBIs. Seitzinger finished with two hits, two RBIs and a run while Zubia had two hits and one RBI. Shortall went 1-for-3 with a run scored while O'Keefe had two runs scored.
Mowatt took the loss for Catholic as he gave up nine runs in three innings. Mierzwa went 1-for-2 while Little went 1-for-3 for the Cardinals.
Moravian travels to The College of New Jersey on Tuesday, March 20th for a non-conference contest. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
