CHESTER, Pa.—The University of Scranton took advantage of four errors to scored six unearned runs to post a 10-4 victory over Widener University in the first game of a non-conference doubleheader Sunday afternoon.
The Pioneers, however, silenced the Royal bats in the nightcap, limiting Scranton to just one hit en route to a 4-1 victory.
In the opener, sophomore Michael Gaeta (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) led the Royals with two hits, including an RBI double during a four-run rally in the fourth inning, and senior Jason Lane (Moosic, Pa./Riverside) drove in two runs with a double in the fifth inning. Junior pitcher Corey Gorman (Laflin, Pa./Coughlin) scattered four hits over four innings and struck out three batters to pick up his first victory of the season.
Sophomores Matt Hone (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North) and Dennis Hocker (Coral Springs, Fla/Coral Springs Charter) paced the Pioneers 9-hit attack with two hits apiece. Each also belted a double.
In the nightcap, senior pitcher Kevin Culbert (Brookhaven, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) was one out away from tossing a no-hitter before Scranton sophomore catcher Michael Amaturo (Rye, N.Y./Rye) singled down the left-field line.
Even though Culbert kept the Royals in check, Widener still had to come from behind to pull out the victory.
Scranton broke a scoreless tie by pushing across a run in the top of the fourth. With one out, Culbert sandwiched two walks around a hit batsman to load the bases. Royal freshman Michael Trabulsi (Malverne, N.Y./Chaminade) then drove in a run with a fielder's choice to give Scranton a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom half of the frame, Widener put together three hits against Scranton starting pitcher Matt Mosko (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) and tallied three runs to take the lead for good. The biggest blows were delivered by Hone, who singled in a run, and junior Sean Saverio (Horsham, Pa./LaSalle University), who drove in another run with a double to right center field.
Mosko struck out four and allowed four hits in four innings of work.
The Royals, now 3-1, will open a three-game Landmark Conference series with the Merchant Marine Academy with a 7-inning doubleheader next Saturday, March 19, beginning at 12:00 noon in Kings Point, New York.
News & Notes: Senior Chris Stallone (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) had a hit, an RBI, and scored twice in the opener for the Royals…freshman pitcher Christopher Maglione (Manalapan, N.J./St. John Vianney) came on in relief of Mosko in the nightcap and did not allow an earned run in two innings…