SCRANTON, Pa. – The University of Scranton baseball team (18-7, 9-5 Landmark) dropped a 17-7 decision in eight innings to the Susquehanna River Hawks (14-16, 10-7 Landmark) in Sunday's series finale at Volpe Field in Scranton.
Susquehanna was able to take control of the game with three runs in the second, two in the third and two in the fourth which opened up a 7-1 advantage.
The Royals got on the board with a run in the first inning as junior Jake Elston (New Milford, Conn./Canterbury School) reached on an error charged to River Hawks' starter Ryan Redmond, took second on a failed pickoff throw and came around to score when sophomore Conor Campbell (Wilmington, Del./Salesianum) reached on an error charged to Michael Buiso at shortstop.
Tony Rossi gave the River Hawks the lead with a two-out, two-run double as part of the three-run second inning.
Junior right-hander Dominic Chieffalo (Norristown, Pa./Malvern Prep) was dealt the loss for the Royals as he gave up five runs on six hits to go along with two walks and four strikeouts over 2 2/3 IP.
Redmond got the win for Susquehanna as he allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits while walking two and fanning six in 5 1/3 IP.
Sophomore Aidan Casey (Silver Beach, N.J./Don Bosco Prep) brought Scranton within 7-3 in the fourth as he delivered a two-run single.
However, Susquehanna got a solo shot from Michael Mancuso in the fifth and four more runs in the sixth to take a 12-3 lead.
The Royals responded with three in the home half of the sixth as sophomore Vincent Napolitano (Merrick, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) hit a solo blast, a wild pitch brought home a run and Elston drew a bases-loaded walk to trim the deficit to 12-6 for the time being.
Napolitano's home run was his second of the season.
The River Hawks plated five runs in the eighth inning and Scranton was unable to get any closer.
Senior Matthew Querey (Wilmington, Del./Salesianum) tallied a pair of hits and also scored two runs to lead the way offensively, while sophomore righty Aidan Rumain (Martinsville, N.J./Immaculata) tossed a scoreless inning in relief.
Scranton will host Wilkes in a Landmark Conference matchup on Tuesday afternoon at Volpe Field with first pitch slated for 4:30 p.m.
--ROYALS--
