SELINSGROVE, Pa. --- The Susquehanna University baseball team posted a pair of shutout wins, 2-0 and 6-0, over visiting Moravian College Friday as the schools opened their three-game Landmark Conference series at Bollinger Field.
In the opener, Moravian freshman outfielder Jimmy McCarthy led off with a single, and he reached second base before being stranded there.
The Crusaders broke onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning with a run on an RBI single from sophomore outfielder Kyle Semmel. Susquehanna then pushed its lead to 2-0 in the fifth on an RBI sacrifice fly by senior designated hitter Dan Wing.
Moravian sophomore outfielder Matt Hanson doubled in the top of the ninth but he would be stranded at third to finish the game.
Susquehanna had a 7-2 advantage in hits with freshman second baseman Dylan Glassmire going two-for-three.
Greyhounds' freshman pitcher Anthony Zaloga suffered the loss on the mound, allowing two runs on seven hits to go with two strikeouts. Susquehanna sophomore Spencer Hotaling gave up just two hits and a walk while striking out four for the Crusaders.
In the second contest, Moravian had the first runner in scoring position with freshman catcher Mike Roethke doubling with one out in the second inning. The Greyhounds loaded the bases in the inning but a double play by the Crusaders ended the threat.
Susquehanna broke through with two runs in the home half of the third inning on an RBI single from Wing and an RBI ground out from third baseman Bryan Palsi. The Crusaders struck three more times in the fourth inning to build a 5-0 lead, and Susquehanna finished the scoring with a run on the sixth inning.
The Crusaders had an 8-4 advantage in hits in the second game with Glassmire and sophomore outfielder Jared Musilli each going two-for-three with Musilli scoring three runs. Junior outfielder Ty Raubenstine was two-for-four for Susquehanna. Roethke led the Greyhounds at the plate, going two-for-two.
Sophomore Chris Lansberry took the loss for the Greyhounds, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks to go with three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Freshman Brett Wagner tossed the final third of an inning with walk. Sophomore Casey Hood pitched a complete game for the Crusaders with four hits, three walks and two strikeouts.
The teams will close out their three-game series with a nine-inning game on Saturday, March 30th beginning at 12:00 p.m. at Bollinger Field in Selinsgrove.
