The University of Scranton baseball team collected 13 hits on Thursday, but couldn't overcome an early deficit and four errors in an 8-5 loss to Misericordia on Thursday afternoon at Connell Park.

The Royals (13-9) fell behind 5-0 after a half inning as the Cougars (16-5) scored five runs on three hits, a walk and an error in the opening stanza.

Scranton answered with three runs of its own in the bottom half on a two-out, two-run double by senior catcher Michael Amaturo (Rye, N.Y./Rye) and a two-out RBI single by freshman right fielder Kyle Hamer (Germantown, Md./St. John's College H.S.).

Misericordia scored twice more in the third and once in the fifth to take an 8-3 lead midway through the game. Scranton held the Cougars in check the rest of the way, but managed just two more runs in the seventh on a two-out, two-run double by junior third baseman Mike Trabulsi (Malverne, N.Y./Chaminade).

The Royals got three hits, including a pair of doubles, and a run from sophomore left fielder Michael Umerich (Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Heights), and two hits apiece from Amaturo, Hamer and Trabulsi. Junior center fielder Michael Gaeta (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) and freshman designated hitter Ray Grapsy (Covington Township, Pa./North Pocono) each added a double.

Sophomore right-hander Jimmy Sawyer (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) took the loss after allowing seven runs, four earned, on five hits and four walks while striking out four in four innings. Four Royals relievers – freshman Stephen Lee (Gaithersburg, Md./Gaithersburg), sophomore Michael Villegas (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough), sophomore Stephen Hart (Mountainside, N.J./St. Peter's Preparatory) and junior Chris Rom (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh) combined to allow just one run on five hits while striking out four in five innings.

Misericordia was led by junior shortstop Ryan Cacchioli (Hicksville, N.Y./St. Anthony's), who had three hits and scored a run. Senior third baseman Dylan Mazza (Exeter Township, Pa./Exeter Township) had a three-run homer in the first inning for the Cougars.

Scranton opens a three-game Landmark Conference series against Susquehanna when the two teams play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 6, beginning at 1 p.m. at Connell Park. 

--ROYALS--