BEL AIR, Md. – The University of Scranton baseball team couldn't get its offense going on Saturday, dropping both ends of a doubleheader against Susquehanna in the first Landmark Conference series of the season for both teams.

The Royals (8-7, 0-2 Landmark) fell behind early in the opener and ultimately fell, 13-0. In the second game, Susquehanna (8-8, 2-0 Landmark) scored twice in each of the first two innings to pull out a 4-2 victory.

The games were played at Harford Community College in Bel Air, Md. due to unplayable field conditions at both schools.

First game – Susquehanna 13, Scranton 0 – box score

The River Hawks scored five runs in each of the first two innings and never looked back while holding the Royals to just four hits.

Senior infielder Patrick O'Dell (Phoenixville, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep), junior outfielder Tommy Trotter (Cranford, N.J./Cranford), junior catcher Kevin Nolan (Ossining, N.Y./Fordham Prep) and junior designated hitter Anthony Caladie (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) each had singles for Scranton.

Second game – Susquehanna 4, Scranton 2 – box score

Susquehanna scored twice in the first, but the Royals answered in the top of the second with a two-run home run from junior infielder Patrick Mergel (Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic). But the River Hawks struck back with two in the bottom of the second and held Scranton the rest of the way.

The home run was the fourth of Mergel's career. He also doubled later in the game. Sophomore designated hitter Ian McIntosh (Newtown, Pa./LaSalle College H.S.) singled and scored on Mergel's homer.

The two teams will complete their three-game series with the final game on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa.

--ROYALS--