SELINSGROVE, Pa. --- The Moravian College baseball team rallied from a 7-0 deficit to post a 17-9 Landmark Conference victory at Susquehanna University Saturday to win the final contest in the three-game series at Bollinger Field.
The Crusaders, who are 10-12 overall and 4-2 in Landmark action, scored seven times in the bottom of the second inning for their 7-0 lead. Junior outfielder Ty Raubenstine had a two-RBI single to start the scoring. Sophomore shortstop Nick Kennedy and senior designated hitter Dan Wing had back-to-back RBI doubles before senior first baseman Nick Ferlise connected on a three-run homer.
Moravian got on the scoreboard with two runs in the top half of the third inning. Freshman outfielder Jimmy McCarthy doubled with one out and scored on an RBI single from sophomore shortstop Colin Case. Sophomore outfielder Matt Hanson singled to move Case to third before freshman first baseman Charles Savite had an RBI ground out to score Case.
The Greyhounds then pushed six runs across the plate in the top of the fourth to take an 8-7 lead. McCarthy reached on an error with the bases loaded that allowed junior outfielder Joseph Connell, freshman third baseman Alex Bull and freshman second baseman Carl Cara all to score. Case followed with an RBI double to score McCarthy, and Case scored on an RBI single by Savite. Freshman catcher Mike Roethke had an RBI single to score Hanson with the go ahead run.
Moravian pushed a run across the plate in the top of the sixth for a 9-7 lead. Savite doubled with two outs and scored on an RBI single by Roethke.
Susquehanna answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game at 9-9. The Crusaders first run scored on an error before Kennedy had an RBI single to tie the contest.
The Greyhounds would get the lead right back in the top of the seventh with two runs. Bull was hit by a pitch and scored on an RBI triple from McCarthy. Case followed with an RBI single to chase McCarthy across the plate.
Moravian finished the scoring with six runs in the top of the eighth inning. Savite led off with a single and scored on an RBI single from sophomore designated hitter Justin Pilchman. After Connell singled, Bull had a two RBI single to score Pilchman and Connell. Case had an RBI single to score Bull while McCarthy scored on a wild pitch. Hanson had an RBI single to score Case with the final run of the game.
The Greyhounds had a 20-11 advantage in hits with Hanson going five-for-six. Case was four-for-five with four RBIs and three runs scored while Roethke went three-for-five. Savite was three-for-six for Moravian while McCarthy was two-for-four with four runs scored. Bull also scored three runs for the Greyhounds. Raubenstine was two-for-three to lead Susquehanna while junior catcher Greg Stellon was two-for-four. Kennedy was two-for-five in the contest.
Junior Ben Hammel earned his first win of the season on the mound for Moravian, tossing three innings of relief with just two hits allowed. Junior Robert Solano started for the Greyhounds and gave up nine runs, seven earned, on nine hits and four walks to go with three strikeouts in 5-plus innings of action. Junior Chris Soltys tossed the final inning for Moravian.
Susquehanna used five pitchers in the game with sophomore Luc Kocher taking the loss in relief of senior starter Brian Wendig.
Moravian is scheduled to return to action on Tuesday, April 2nd in a non-conference game with Keuka (N.Y.) College beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Gillespie Field in Bethlehem.
