MOOSIC, Pa. – Wilkes University scored five times in the third inning and led the rest of the way, handing The University of Scranton baseball team a 9-4 loss in its final regular season game on Tuesday evening at PNC Field.

Scranton (21-18) was led by sophomore second baseman Matt Maghini (Madison, Conn./Daniel Hand), who had two singles, a double and scored a run. Junior outfielder Michael Gaeta (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) had two hits, two RBIs and a run scored. His two-run double in the third inning helped the Royals cut the deficit to 5-3, but Scranton was unable to get any closer than two runs the rest of the way.

Freshman outfielder Ray Grapsy (Covington Township, Pa./North Pocono) added two hits and a run scored and junior designated hitter Eric Pizzico (Royersford, Pa./Spring Ford) had an RBI double in the loss.

Senior left fielder Scott Skammer (Dallas, Pa./Dallas) singled twice, tripled, drove in two runs and scored twice, and sophomore first baseman Stephen Ruch (Dallas, Pa./Holy Redeemer) singled, doubled twice, drove in two runs and scored three times for Wilkes (21-15).

Scranton will now prepare for the Landmark Conference playoffs, which begin Saturday, May 4, in Washington, D.C. The fourth-seeded Royals will face top-seeded and host Catholic University in a first-round game at 11 a.m. The playoffs are a double-elimination tournament.

--ROYALS--