MADISON, N.J. – Graduate student Connor Harding (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal) became the ninth player in program history to record 100 career RBI and The University of Scranton baseball team (16-3-1, 6-2 Landmark) used a five-run seventh inning to complete the series sweep of Drew (3-20, 1-8 Landmark) with an 8-1 victory on Sunday afternoon at Doc Young Field in Madison.

The Royals have won seven straight overall.

Things were all deadlocked at one apiece in the top of the seventh when fellow graduate student Kevin Johnson (Whitehouse Station, N.J./Hunterdon Central) reached with a one-out single, advanced to second on an error and scored on senior Dan Crossan's (Media, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) go-ahead RBI single. From there, a hit by pitch and a single loaded the bases with one away which led to four more runs in the inning including a pair of bases loaded walks that made it a 6-1 game.

Teddy Hoxie was dealt the loss for the Rangers as he gave up the six runs on five hits to go along with two walks and seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 IP.

Sophomore right-hander George Sengos (Washington Twp., N.J./Westwood Regional) was credited with the win for the Royals as he struck out a pair over two shutout innings.

Harding reached the 100 RBI milestone with a solo shot to right field in the top of the first inning, his third home run of the season. He becomes the first Royal to reach the mark since Kevin Haag in 2019.

Drew tied things at one with a fielder's choice to bring home a run in the third inning and things would remain even until the Royals' afore-mentioned five run seventh.

On the mound for Scranton, sophomore right-hander Thomas Plunkett (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck) allowed a run on three hits while walking two and fanning one in five innings of work. To go along with Sengos, freshman righty Kevin Keil (Egg Harbor Township, N.J./Atlantic County Institute of Technology) and senior lefty Ryan Heiser (New Milford, N.J./Saint Joseph Regional) both tossed scoreless innings in relief of Plunkett.

Sophomore Corey Zientek (Sugarloaf, Pa./Hazleton Area) tacked on a two-run blast in the top of the ninth, his team-leading fourth home run of the year, to complete the scoring for the Royals. 

Johnson (2-3, SB, R) had a multi-hit game in the victory, while Harding added a hit, two RBI, three walks and two runs scored.

The University of Scranton baseball team will head to King's for a non-conference matchup on Tuesday afternoon with first pitch slated for 4 p.m.

--ROYALS--