WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The University of Scranton baseball team opened its seven-game spring break trip in Central Florida on the wrong foot, dropping the first of seven games, 13-3, to Southern Maine at Chain of Lakes Park on Monday afternoon. 

The Huskies (7-3) banged out 14 hits and took advantage of six walks and two hit batsmen by Scranton pitchers in the victory. Senior outfielder Tucker White (Deerfield, N.H./Coe-Brown Northwood) led the way with three hits, including a triple, three RBIs and three runs scored.

Southern Maine jumped ahead with three runs in the first and four more in the second to take control. 

Scranton (6-7) received an RBI single from senior outfielder Greg Monastra (West Chester, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) and doubles from freshman third baseman Anthony Pilovsky (Bayonne, N.J./St. Peter's Preparatory) and freshman catcher Dominick Gulius (Laflin, Pa./Coughlin). The Royals also received RBI walks from senior first baseman Anthony Duchnowski (Dunmore, Pa./Bishop O'Hara) and freshman outfielder Michael McDonald (Scranton, Pa./Scranton Preparatory).

Sophomore right-hander Stephen Hart (Mountainside, N.J./St. Peter's Preparatory) gave the Royals a lift out of the bullpen, allowing three runs, two earned, in 5 2/3 innings of relief. 

Scranton returns to action on Tuesday when it faces Western Connecticut State in a doubleheader at 1:30 p.m. at Lake Myrtle Park in Auburndale, Fla.

--ROYALS--