FORT PIERCE, Fla. – The University of Scranton baseball team came out on the wrong end of a pair of results during its spring break trip on Wednesday, losing to Kenyon, 6-5, and Earlham, 6-0.
Kenyon 6, Scranton 5
Kenyon (4-6) took a 4-0 lead by scoring three times in the fourth and once in the fifth. The score remained that way until the Royals struck for five runs in the bottom of the seventh to take a 5-4 lead.
Sophomore first baseman Kevin Haag (Ossining, N.Y./Ossining/Bridgton Academy) got things started with an RBI double. Senior right fielder Chase Standen (Newtown Square, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) followed with a two-run double, but was throwing out trying to stretch it into a triple for the second out of the inning.
But the Royals weren't done as senior designated hitter Seth Bower (Newtown Square, Pa./Marple Newtown) walked, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. Freshman left fielder Connor Harding (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal Central) drove him in with an RBI single, knotting the game at 4. Harding then stole second and went to third when the throw sailed wide. He then scored on a fielding error for a 5-4 lead.
But, Kenyon answered with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the eighth on a two-out, two-run single. Scranton got a runner to third with two outs in the eighth, but couldn't score, and was unable to mount a comeback in the ninth.
Harding finished with two hits, an RBI and a run, and senior shortstop Justin Howell (Millington, N.J./Watchung Hills) singled twice in the loss. Freshman righty Matthew Yard (Wall Township, N.J./Wall) was the tough-luck loser after allowing two unearned runs on one hit and a walk while striking out one in three innings of relief.
Earlham 6, Scranton 0
Earlham (13-1) rode a six-run bottom of the third to the victory. Scranton (3-4) had the bases loaded in the sixth and two runners on in both the eighth and ninth innings, but could not push across a run.
Senior center fielder Tommy Trotter (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) singled and doubled, and Standen had a pair of singles in the defeat.
The Royals got a pair of strong relief appearances. Senior righty Brian Jenkins (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) tossed 3 1/3 shutout innings, working around two hits and four walks while fanning two. Freshman righty Colin Sommers (Manlius, N.Y./Fayetteville-Manlius) had a successful collegiate debut, working 2 1/3 shutout innings, allowing two hits while fanning three.
The baseball team will complete its spring break trip on Thursday when the Royals take on Gettysburg at 10 a.m.
--ROYALS--