MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The University of Scranton baseball team lost its second straight heartbreaker to open the season on Friday, but bounced back later in the day to pick up its first win of the season on its trip to the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The Royals (1-2) suffered a 6-4 walk-off loss in 10 innings to Muhlenberg to open the day, but came back with a 9-3 victory over Johnson & Wales in the second game, avenging a loss to the Wildcats a day earlier.

In the win over Johnson & Wales, Scranton scored three times in the bottom of the seventh to take a 4-3 lead, then put the game away with five runs in the bottom of the eighth. Junior left fielder Brian Healy (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South) had a two-run single and freshman Justin Howell (Millington, N.J./Watchung Hills) had a pinch-hit, two-run single in the big eighth inning.

Sophomore shortstop Patrick O'Dell (Phoenixville, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) went 3-for-5 with two runs in the victory, freshman third baseman Anthony Caladie (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) was 2-for-4 with a run scored, and freshman second baseman Brad Schneider (Ambler, Pa./LaSalle College H.S.) had an RBI.

Sophomore right hander John Kranick (Jessup, Pa./Valley View) allowed a run on four hits while striking out five in six innings for a no-decision. Seniors Michael Villegas (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) and Dillon Chorba (Pompton Plains, N.J./DePaul Catholic) combined for three shutout innings of relief, with Villegas earning the win.

In the loss to Muhlenberg, the Royals scored four times in the top of the second, but the Mules (3-4) chipped away with a run in the third, a run in the fifth and two in the seventh to tie it, then won with a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th.

Schneider finished 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs, and freshman outfielder Tommy Trotter (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) singled twice and drove in a run in the loss. Senior righty Matthew Calamoneri (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) took a no-decision after allowing four runs, two earned, on seven hits and two walks while striking out two in seven innings.

Scranton is back in action on Saturday at the Ripken Experience when it faces Mt. Aloysius in a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.

--ROYALS--