The University of Scranton baseball team scored seven runs in the final two innings to erase a six-run deficit in a thrilling 8-7 win over William Paterson at Jeff Albies Field on Tuesday afternoon.
The Royals (14-14) trailed 7-1 going into the eighth inning, but they scored three times in the eighth to get back into the game and then tallied four times in the ninth to take the lead. Sophomore catcher Kevin Nolan (Ossining, N.Y./Fordham Prep) delivered the biggest hit in the comeback, a two-run, go-ahead single in the top of the ninth.
The rally started with the eighth inning, when sophomore designated hitter Ryan Coonahan (Oreland, Pa./LaSalle College H.S.) delivered an RBI double and sophomores John Joe Gustin (Scranton, Pa./Scranton Prep) and Michael Ratner (Langhorne, Pa./The Pennington School) added RBI groundouts.
In the ninth inning, the Royals loaded the bases with nobody out and senior left fielder Brian Healy (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South) delivered an RBI sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 7-5. After a single by freshman first baseman Ian McIntosh (Newtown, Pa./LaSalle College H.S.) re-loaded the bases, Coonahan came through again, this time with an RBI single. That set the stage for Nolan, who singled to left to bring home two and put Scranton ahead, 8-7.
William Paterson (15-15) had built a 7-1 lead through seven innings, thanks in part to a five-run second inning. But the Royals got five innings of shutout relief from four relievers combined.
Junior right-hander Sean McNamara (Scarsdale, N.Y./Fordham Prep) tossed a perfect eighth inning to earn the win, his fourth of the season. Junior lefty David Chromey (Old Forge, Pa./Old Forge) kept the Pioneers off the board in the ninth for his third save. The Royals also received two shutout innings of relief from freshman righty Matt McDonald (Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Heights) and a shutout inning by fellow freshman righty Tim Derner (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge).
Coonahan led the offense with two hits, two RBIs, a run and a stolen base, and junior second baseman Anthony Simone (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley Senior) singled twice, walked three times and scored a run. Sophomore center fielder Tommy Trotter (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) added an RBI single in the third inning and scored a run in the ninth.
Scranton is right back in action on Wednesday when the Royals host DeSales at 4 p.m. at Connell Park.
--ROYALS--