BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Senior second basemen Alex Longernecker connected on his first career home run to help the Moravian College baseball team cap a three-game series with a 18-5 win over Landmark Conference opponent Juniata College Sunday afternoon at Gillespie Field to improve to 11-7 in conference play.
Freshman hurler Nicholas Mazzella picked up the victory on the mound for the Greyhounds, improving to 3-0 on the season after allowing just seven hits while striking out five batters in the first seven innings of the contest. Junior Brett Wagner and senior Chris Lansberry both tossed one inning to close the game.
At the plate, the Hounds knocked out 17 hits with junior catcher Mike Roethke going 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Seniors shortstop Colin Case, right fielder Matt Hanson and designated hitter Ryan Luke all went 2-for-4 on the afternoon.
Moravian jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Luke singled to center field with one out, he stole second and advanced on a throwing error and scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by Hanson.
The Hounds added five runs in the bottom of the second frame. Senior left fielder Justin Pilchman and senior third basemen Alex Bull both drew a walks to start the inning. After both runners advanced into scoring position, Roethke singled through the left side for an RBI. Longernecker would drive one to deep right field for his first career home run earning three RBIs. With one out, Case singled through the right side to get things going again for the Greyhounds and would cross the plate on a double down the left field line by Luke to head to the top of the third leading Juniata, 6-0.
The Eagles would score three runs over a two inning span as Moravian would add another run in the fifth inning after Luke was walked to bring in another run.
The Blue and Grey had another big inning in the sixth, tacking on another five runs. Junior first basemen Charles Savite hit a single up the middle to start the inning and would advance on a wild pitch. Pilchman would follow up with a single advancing the runner to third and stealing second base. Bull connected for his second homer of the weekend when he sent one over the right field fence. Roethke would keep the hits coming with another single to right center before Longernecker reached on a fielder's choice. Sophomore centerfielder Anthony Gaetaniello and Case were both hit by a pitch to load the bases for Luke, who brought in another run and reached base on a fielder's choice. Hanson singled to center field to score the fifth run of the inning.
Juniata added two more runs in the top of the seventh but would walk Pilchman and Bull start the bottom of the seventh. Roethke singled to left center for an RBI and would advance to second and an RBI single through the right side by Longernecker. After Gaetaniello was hit by a pitch again, the bases would be loaded for Case, who singled to right field for an RBI. Hanson grounded out the first basemen but not before another run scored for the Greyhounds. Savite doubled to right center scoring the final two runs of the inning and game for his 100th career RBI for a final score of, 18-5.
The Greyhounds get back to action on Tuesday, April 21 when they take on non-conference Neumann University at 4:00 p.m. at Gillespie Field.
