Box Score
SCRANTON, Pa. – The University of Scranton baseball team (0-2) dropped a tough luck 1-0 decision to the Arcadia Knights (5-3) in a non-conference matchup on Sunday afternoon at Volpe Field in Scranton.
The Royals threatened late in the game with runners at first and second and one out in the bottom of the eighth, but Arcadia RHP Mitch Blake came on in relief of starter Jeremy Sabathne and got a couple of groundouts to end the inning.
Arcadia scored the lone run of the afternoon in the top of the third as Noah Cerrud-Osmer drew a leadoff walk, stole second, advanced to third on a fielder's choice and scored when Zach Sekelick was caught stealing second. Cerrud-Osmer broke for home on the delayed steal after Sekelick took off for second.
Scranton had two men on with nobody out in the home half of the fourth, but were unable to push a run across against Sabathne.
Sophomore left-hander Ryan Heiser (New Milford, N.J./Saint Joseph Regional) made the start for the Royals and was dealt the tough loss after allowing one run on one hit to go along with three walks and a strikeout in 2 2/3 IP.
The Royals' bullpen shined on the day with 6 1/3 IP of scoreless baseball led by three shutout innings apiece from freshmen right-handers Hunter Ralston (Duryea, Pa./Pittston Area) and Daniel Johnson (Whitehouse Station, N.J./Immaculata). Ralston did not allow a hit in his outing, while Johnson fanned a pair in his three innings of work.
Johnson has now fired six consecutive scoreless innings to start the 2020 season.
Sabathne scattered seven hits and struck out seven over 7 1/3 IP to earn the win for Arcadia and Blake got the final five outs to notch his second save.
Scranton outhit the Knights by a 7-4 margin behind two hits apiece for junior Connor Harding (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal), senior Kevin Haag (Ossining, N.Y./Ossining/Bridgton Academy (Maine)) and freshmen Justin Pinckert (Somerville, N.J./Immaculata).
Head coach Mike Bartoletti's squad will host Haverford on Wednesday, March 4 at 5 p.m. to continue the season-opening homestand for the Royals.
--ROYALS--
