The United States Merchant Marine Academy pounded out 24 hits en route to a doubleheader sweep against The University of Scranton, 11-4 and 12-6, in a Landmark Conference baseball doubleheader at Connell Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Mariners (9-6, 4-1 Landmark Conference) clubbed three home runs in the opener, two by junior right fielder Dustin Thomsen (Alamogordo, N.M./Alamogordo) and one by senior center fielder John Hubach (Avon, Ohio/St. Edward), who finished the game with four hits.

Merchant Marine led, 4-3, after three innings, then tallied five runs in the fourth to break the game open as Thomsen hit the second of his two homers. He finished the opening game with four RBIs. Senior righty Andy Martin (San Diego, Calif./Point Loma) struck out eight in six innings for the win.

Junior shortstop Tim LeCompte (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic) homered among his three hits and scored three times to lead Scranton in the opening game.

In the second game, the Mariners got two homers and four RBIs from sophomore shortstop Danny Collins (Sleepy Hollow, N.Y./Briarcliff) and one more from Thomsen, who struck out nine in six innings on the hill for the win.

LeCompte had two hits and three RBIs to lead Scranton (9-8, 2-3 Landmark) in the second game. Senior third baseman Matt Rayha (Willow Street, Pa./Penn Manor), senior second baseman Jesse Outhouse (Croton Falls, N.Y./North Salem) and sophomore catcher Eddie Ravert (Havertown, Pa./Malvern Prep) each had two hits.

Scranton and Merchant Marine Academy will conclude the series when they play a single game Sunday at 11 a.m. at Connell Park.

--ROYALS--