SCRANTON, Pa. – The University of Scranton baseball team (13-3-1) scored 14 runs on 17 hits and rolled to a 14-4 victory over the Muhlenberg College Mules (11-5) on Wednesday evening at Volpe Field in Scranton.
This marks the seventh time this season that the Royals have scored double digit runs.
Scranton has also now won four straight.
Muhlenberg opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the first, but the Royals immediately responded in the home half when sophomore Aidan Plick (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) delivered a two-out, two-run double down the left field line to even things at two. In the bottom of the second, a single and a pair of walks loaded the bases with two away to set the stage for a go-ahead two-run single from senior Tyler Kirsten (Wallenpaupack, Pa./Wallenpaupack Area) and Scranton never looked back from there.
Following an RBI single from graduate student Kevin Johnson (Whitehouse Station, N.J./Hunterdon Central) in the fourth inning, Plick struck again with a two-run double into the left centerfield gap to extend the Royals lead to 7-2.
Evan Spano was dealt the loss for Muhlenberg after allowing the seven runs (four earned) on seven hits while walking five and fanning two over 3 2/3 IP.
Sophomore left-hander Matthew Moreira (Union, N.J./Saint Peter's Prep) earned the win for the Royals as he retired all six batters he faced in two perfect innings.
Scranton added a run in the sixth and three more apiece in the seventh and eighth innings to preserve the fourth straight win. Kirsten added a two-run double in the seventh, while junior Robert Beyer (Bedford, N.Y./Fordham Prep) came through with an RBI double to go along with RBI singles from senior Dan Crossan (Media, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) and juniors Justin Pinckert (Somerville, N.J./Immaculata) and Anthony Tramonte (Mineola, N.Y./Chaminade).
Johnson (2-4, RBI, SB, 2 R), Kirsten (2-3, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 2 R), Plick (2-3, 2 2B, 4 RBI) and junior Nick Reposa (Factoryville, Pa./Tunkhannock) who added two hits, two stolen bases and three runs scored led the way offensively for head coach Mike Bartoletti's squad.
In relief for the Royals, senior right-handers Conner DiAngelo (East Granby, Conn./Northwest Catholic) and Luke Hoey (Southampton, N.J./Seneca), senior lefty James Gadue (West Hartford, Conn./Hall) and junior righty Liam Fitzgerald (Pearl River, N.Y./Pearl River) all fired scoreless frames as eight different pitchers took the mound on the afternoon.
The University of Scranton baseball team heads to Drew for a Landmark Conference series this weekend with first pitch of game one of Saturday's doubleheader slated for 12 p.m.
--ROYALS--