The University of Scranton baseball team put together a strong pitching and hitting effort on Thursday en route to a 20-0 victory over Summit University at Connell Park.

Five pitchers combined on a six-hit shutout and the hitters produced 14 hits, including eight for extra bases, in the victory. The Royals (16-18) led 5-0 after two innings and put the game away with eight runs in the sixth and seven more in the seventh.

Senior left fielder Brian Healy (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South) got the offense going with a two-run homer in the first. Sophomore shortstop Michael Ratner (Langhorne, Pa./The Pennington School) singled, tripled, drove in four and scored twice, and freshman center fielder Liam Dougherty (Dalton, Pa./Lackawanna Trail) doubled twice, scored twice and drove in a run.

Junior first baseman Alex Muggeo (Harrington Park, N.J./St. Joseph Regional) doubled, drove in four and scored twice, sophomore right fielder John Joe Gustin (Scranton, Pa./Scranton Prep) singled, doubled, drove in two and scored a run, and junior second baseman Patrick O'Dell (Phoenixville, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) singled twice and scored a run.

Freshman Tim Derner (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) picked up the win with two shutout innings, striking out three. Royals pitchers struck out a total of 11 in the shutout, including three by freshman Christian Huckfeldt (Ambler, Pa./Upper Dublin), who also tossed two scoreless innings.

The Royals are back in action on Saturday when the visit Drew for a Landmark Conference doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. in Madison, N.J.

--ROYALS--