UPDATE (April 3, 2015) - Following the ejections of Drew University pitching coach Norm Hewitt and shortstop Steve Kowalski in a contest at New Jersey City University on Wednesday, April 1, it was determined that as per NCAA rules, the ejections would carry an immediate one-game suspension. Subsequently, due to the participation of both in a 5-4 victory against Moravian College on Thursday, April 2, Drew University has forfeited that victory. All individual statistics from the contest on April 2 will stand, but the contest will be recorded as a 9-0 forfeit victory for Moravian College.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College baseball team dropped the first game of a Landmark Conference series with Drew University, 5-4 in 10 innings, Thursday afternoon in Madison, New Jersey.
Junior catcher Mike Roethke led the Greyhounds at the plate going 2-for-5. Senior left fielder Justin Pilchman, third basemen Ryan Luke, second basemen Alex Longernecker, junior first basemen Charles Savite and sophomore designated hitter Nicolas Ampietro all had hits on the day.
The Rangers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning with an unearned run, while the Hounds would tie things up one all in the top of the third inning. Ampietro started the inning with a single up the middle. Longernecker reached on a fielder's choice, but the runner was out at second. Longernecker advanced to second in a failed pick-off attempt. Sophomore center fielder Anthony Gaetaniello was hit by a pitch while both runners advanced on a wild pitch which scored Longernecker.
Drew took a one run lead in the bottom of the fifth until the Blue and Grey broke a three inning scoreless streak by taking the lead 4-2 after three runs in the top of the eighth inning. Savite started the two-out rally with a double down the right field line while Pilchman would be walked and Luke was hit by a pitch. With bases loaded, a single to center field by Roethke cleared the bases as the Hounds took the lead.
The Rangers tied things in the bottom of the ninth, forcing extra innings. Despite a hit from Pilchman and Roethke in the top of the tenth, the Greyhounds suffered their third extra-inning loss of the Landmark Conference season and fourth one-run loss of the conference campaign.
Freshman Nicholas Mazzella got the start on the hill, pitching 5.2 innings with two strikeouts while juniors Hunter Guard and Brett Wagner both saw time on the mound.
The Hounds return to Madison for a Landmark Conference doubleheader on Saturday, April 4 with the first pitch set for 1:00 p.m.
