FLEMINGTON, N.J. – The University of Scranton baseball team got off to a hot start to its season, posting an 11-4 victory over Albright in the opening game of a doubleheader at Diamond Nation on Saturday afternoon. But the Lions bounced back to rally past the Royals, 5-4, in the second game.
The Royals (1-1) pounded out 16 hits in the opener, including three by junior center fielder Michael Gaeta (Cranford, N.J./Cranford), who also scored twice and drove in a run.
Scranton broke open a 3-2 game by scoring single runs in the third and fourth, then tacking on two in the fifth before scoring three in the sixth. Junior designated Eric Pizzico (Royersford, Pa./Spring Ford) blasted a solo home run to get the spurt started in the third. He finished with two hits, two RBIs and a run scored.
The Royals also received a double, triple, two RBIs and two runs from senior shortstop Tim LeCompte (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic). Sophomore second baseman Matt Maghini (Madison, Conn./Daniel Hand) had two singles and junior catcher Eddie Ravert (Havertown, Pa./Malvern Prep) and freshman right fielder Zach Dignam (Bridgewater, N.J./Immaculata) both singled and doubled.
Sophomore first baseman Ross Danzig (Clarks Green, Pa./Abington Heights/Blair Academy, N.J.) added a two-run double and sophomore left fielder Michael Umerich (Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Heights) singled, stole a base and scored three times.
Junior lefty Bobby Della Polla (Havertown, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) struck out three and allowed two hits in four innings to get the win.
In the second game, Albright (1-1) scored three times in the bottom of the sixth to rally for the victory.
Scranton got two hits, an RBI and a run scored from Danzig, two hits and an RBI from senior catcher Michael Amaturo (Rye, N.Y./Rye) and two hits and a run scored from freshmen outfielder Ray Grapsy (Covington Township, Pa./North Pocono). Pizzico added a double, an RBI and a run, and Umerich singled and drove in a run.
Sophomore righty Matt Calamoneri (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) earned a no-decision despite allowing just two earned runs on seven hits while striking out six in five innings.
Scranton returns to action on Sunday when it takes on FDU-Florham in a doubleheader beginning at noon at Diamond Nation.
--ROYALS--