MOOSIC, Pa. -- The University of Scranton baseball team could not maintain the momentum it built in a recent three-game winning streak, dropping both ends of a doubleheader to Drew in Landmark Conference play on Saturday at PNC Field.
The Rangers (20-11, 7-4 Landmark) took both games by scores of 1-0 and 17-5. Scranton (12-16, 1-10 Landmark) entered the doubleheader averaging 11.2 runs per game over their last six games, but managed just five runs in 14 innings on Saturday.
The doubleheader was part of the Bill Howerton Strikeout Cancer Weekend at PNC Field, an event played in memory of former Scranton coach Bill Howerton, who passed away from cancer. The event raises funds to fight cancer. Sunday's single game at 11 a.m. between Drew and Scranton is also part of the event. Live video of the game will be available at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/scranton/.
Game 1 - Drew 1, Scranton 0
The Rangers scored a first-inning run, then made it stand up as the Royals managed just four hits in the contest. Freshman righty Bobby Hegarty (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh) was the hard-luck loser on the mound, allowing just the one run on five hits and a walk while striking out three. He did not allow a hit after the third inning.
The Royals' best chance to tie or take the lead came in the bottom of the fifth when they put runners on first and second with one out. But a flyout and a caught stealing ended the threat.
Junior shortstop Patrick Mergel (Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic) singled twice and junior center fielder Tommy Trotter (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) doubled in the defeat.
Game 2 – Drew 17, Scranton 5
Drew took control from the start, scoring five times in the first and seven more in the second en route to the win.
Scranton received two hits, two RBIs and a run from sophomore first baseman Ian McIntosh (Newtown, Pa./LaSalle College H.S.). Mergel added a hit and an RBI, and Trotter, senior second baseman Patrick O'Dell (Harleysville, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) and junior right fielder Chase Standen (Newtown Square, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) each had a hit and scored a run.
--ROYALS--