SCRANTON, Pa. – The University of Scranton baseball team (18-6, 9-4 Landmark) erased an 11-0 deficit in game one en route to a 19-13 victory and split a doubleheader with the Susquehanna River Hawks (13-16, 9-7 Landmark) on Saturday at Volpe Field in Scranton.

The Royals took the lead in game one with a 13-run sixth inning as part of the 19-13 win before dropping a 12-5 decision in the nightcap.

Scranton 19, Susquehanna 13

A 13-run sixth inning proved to be the difference in the game as the Royals completed the massive rally from an early 11-0 deficit and notched a 19-13 victory.

Scranton trailed 12-5 in the sixth before junior Jake Elston (New Milford, Conn./Canterbury School) knocked in a pair with a two-run single, three straight bases-loaded walks allowed three more runs to score and senior Jack Heineman (Abington, Pa./LaSalle College) then gave the hosts the lead with a three-run double down the right field line. Elston added a sac fly later in the frame and Susquehanna pitching issued two more free passes with the bases loaded as the Royals grabbed an 18-12 lead.

Sophomore righty Matt Scepkowski (Normandy Beach, N.J./Saint Peter's Prep) earned the win in his collegiate debut for the Royals as he gave just one run on five hits to go along with a walk and three strikeouts over 3 1/3 strong innings of relief. Senior lefty Jason Carpenter (Scranton, Pa./Scranton) came on in relief of Scepkowski and struck out a pair in 1 2/3 shutout IP.

Brice Gregory was dealt the loss for the River Hawks as he did not record an out and was charged with four runs on one hit while walking three in the sixth.

Susquehanna scored four in the first including a three-run homer from Joe Healy, three in the second and four in the third to grab the early 11-0 lead before the Royals put together the impressive comeback.

Graduate student right-hander Hunter Ralston (Duryea, Pa./Pittston Area) got the start and was tagged for seven runs on six hits to go along with four walks and a strikeout over 1 1/3 IP in a no-decision.

The Royals plated a run apiece in the third and fourth innings with a sac fly from sophomore Aidan Casey (Silver Beach, N.J./Don Bosco Prep) and an RBI single by fellow sophomore Vincent Napolitano (Merrick, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial). From there, a three-run fifth trimmed the deficit to 11-5 as Napolitano and classmate Conor Campbell (Wilmington, Del./Salesianum) each delivered RBI singles in the inning while senior John Zarnowski (East Brunswick, N.J./St. Joseph's) added a sac fly.

For Susquehanna, Aidan Martin allowed seven runs (five earned) on nine hits while walking two and fanning three in 5 1/3 IP.

Heineman (4-6, 2B, 3 RBI, SB, 3 R) matched his career-high with four hits to lead the Royals offensively and the quartet of Campbell (2-3, RBI, 3 R), Casey (2-3, RBI, 2 SB, 3 R), Elston (2-5, 3 RBI, 2 R) and Napolitano (2-3, 4 RBI, SB, R) all tallied two hits apiece.

Napolitano's four RBI marked a career-best.

Susquehanna 12, Scranton 5

The River Hawks plated seven runs in the sixth to break a two-all tie and were able to hold on for the 12-5 win in the nightcap.

Michael Buiso gave the visitors a 3-2 lead with a go-ahead two-out RBI double and Lance Book added a two-run single later in the inning.

Senior lefty Mike Fox (Westfield, N.J./Union Catholic) was charged with six runs on three hits and two walks in the inning and was dealt the loss for the Royals.

Anthony Colucci recorded the win for Susquehanna as he gave up five runs on seven hits to go along with five walks and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 IP. Vincent Mariella struck out seven over 3 1/3 IP of relief to record a save.

The Royals were able to get three runs back in the home half of the sixth to cut the lead to 9-5 as a run scored on a wild pitch, Zarnowski drew a bases-loaded walk and Napolitano was hit by a pitch. However, Mariella came on in relief and got a strikeout to end the inning.

Susquehanna got on the board with a run in the top of the first, but Scranton quickly answered with two in home half when Campbell tied the game with a sac fly and Zarnowski followed with an RBI double.

The River Hawks added a run in the fourth to knot things at two before taking control of the game with the afore-mentioned sixth inning.

Graduate student righty Daniel Johnson (Whitehouse Station, N.J./Immaculata) allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits while walking three and fanning six over five innings of work in a no-decision.

Freshman Jake Lopez (Oakland, N.J./Ramapo) paced the Royals with three hits and Zarnowski added two hits and two RBI.

In relief for Scranton, sophomore righty Aidan Rumain (Martinsville, N.J./Immaculata) did not allow an earned run and gave up just one hit in two innings.

The two teams will wrap up the series on Sunday at 12 p.m. at Volpe Field. Prior to the game, the Royals will honor the 2024 senior class for their contributions and dedication to the program.