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Moravian Defeats Susquehanna in Final Game of Landmark Series

Sophomore Patrick Benolken at the plate versus Calvin (Mich.) College in Florida.
Sophomore Patrick Benolken at the plate versus Calvin (Mich.) College in Florida.

SELINSGROVE, Pa. --- The Moravian University baseball team earned a Landmark Conference victory over Susquehanna University, 7-4, in game three of the series on Sunday afternoon.

How It Happened

  • After a couple of scoreless innings, Susquehanna got the first run of the game in the bottom of the third to take a 1-0 lead.
  • The Greyhounds tied things up in the top of the fourth after junior designated hitter Derek Holmes earned a one-out walk followed by graduate student first baseman Brett Moyer reaching on a fielder's choice. Sophomore outfielder Patrick Benolken singled up the middle to score Holmes from second base to make it 1-1
  • Susquehanna went back in front in the bottom half of the fourth inning to retake their lead at 2-1.
  • Moravian would knot things up again in the top of the sixth frame after Moyer led off the inning with a walk and junior second baseman Chris Pow (Collegeville, Pa./Perkiomen HS) dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance Moyer over to second base. Senior third baseman David Bertolotti singled down the left-field line to score Moyer from second and tie the game at 2-2
  • The River Hawks went back ahead in the bottom of the sixth getting two runs across to extend their lead to 4-2 after six innings of play
  • Senior right fielder Robert Roman led off the seventh inning with an infield single followed by a Holmes single through the right side to put runners at first and second with one out. After Pow earned a two-out walk to load the bases, Benolken singled through the right side to score two runs to tie the game for the third time at 4-4
  • Moravian tacked on another run in the top of the eighth frame when sophomore pinch hitter Paul Croyle was walked to lead off the inning and was bunted over to second on a sacrifice by senior Nick Montone. Croyle then raced to third after a passed ball and crossed the plate on a wild pitch to put the Greyhounds up 5-4
  • The Blue and Grey added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth with Benolken driving in another RBI that scored Holmes. Benolken then stole second base and was brought home on an RBI single up the middle from Croyle to put the game at it's final score, 7-4
  • Sophomore pitcher David Ciaccio got the start for the Greyhounds, throwing five innings with seven hits, three strikeouts and four earned runs. Junior Noah Ingalls was the first to enter in relief and pitched one inning and allowed just one hit and recorded a strikeout while graduate student Kevin Brandt threw 1.1 innings and did not allow a hit with two walks and a strikeout to earn his third victory of the year. Junior Kenny Kunzman pitched 0.2 of an inning with one walk and junior Ethan Weber recorded his first save of the season while throwing the ninth inning for the Blue and Grey

Inside the Numbers

  • Moravian had 11 hits in the game with Benolken leading the Hounds by going 3-for-5 with four RBIs and a run scored.
  • Holmes and Roman each contributed two-hit performances. Holmes went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two walks while Roman was 2-for-5 with a run.
  • Four other Greyhounds had base hits on the day with Croyle adding a run and RBI and Bertolotti driving in a run. Montone recorded his first hit of the 2022 season after recently returning from an injury and sophomore outfielder Matt Madigan reached base once

Up Next for the Greyhounds

  • Tuesday, April 26 vs. Gwynedd Mercy University, 4:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 28 at Keystone College, 3:30 p.m.