UNION, N.J. --- The Moravian University baseball squad began the 2024 season with a 3-2 non-conference victory at Kean (N.J.) University Monday afternoon. 

How It Happened

• The Hounds had runners in scoring position in the top of the first inning after walks from senior left fielder David Olsakowski and graduate student second baseman Chris Pow and a double steal, but the Blue & Grey were unable to get a run across the plate
• Moravian would jump out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Senior center fielder Matt Madigan drew a one-out walk before Olsakowski was hit by a pitch. After an out and with the runners on the move, graduate student first baseman Paul Hamilton ripped a two-RBI single to left center and Madigan and Olsakowski raced around the bases
• The Greyhounds extended the advantage to 3-0 with a run in the fourth frame as junior right fielder Nick Henry drew a leadoff walk and scored from second on an RBI single off the bat of graduate student third baseman Justin Otero
• The Cougars got onto the scoreboard with a run in the bottom of the fifth to cut the Blue & Grey lead to 3-1
• Kean cut the score to 3-2 with another run in the bottom of the eighth frame
• The game was played a day earlier than scheduled due to the impending snowstorm on Tuesday 

Inside the Numbers

• Moravian had five hits as five different players connected on singles
• Hamilton was 1-for-4 with two RBIs while Otero went 1-for-3 with an RBI as the duo competed for the Greyhounds for the first time in their careers
• Madigan was 1-for-4 with a run scored while senior shortstop Paul Croyle and senior catcher Connor Wengryn both had singles in the victory
• Olsakowski was on base twice and scored a run while Henry crossed the plate with the winning run
• Senior David Ciaccio made the start on the mound for the Hounds and allowed a run on five hits and a walk while tossing the first six innings of the contest to begin the year with a victory. Graduate student Noah Ingalls earned his first career save as he allowed a run on three hits to go with one strikeout

Up Next for the Greyhounds

• Saturday, February 17 vs. FDU-Florham (DH) at Diamond Nation in Flemington, N.J., 12:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 28 vs. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Ind.) at RussMatt Central Florida Invitational in Auburndale, Fla., 1:00 p.m.