OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The University of Scranton baseball team could not get over the hump on Sunday, dropping a pair of games at the Charm City Classic at Stevenson University.
The Royals (3-3) opened the day with a narrow 9-8 loss to the host Mustangs, falling behind early only to cut the deficit to one three different times without completing the comeback. In the afternoon, Scranton fell to Frostburg State, 6-4, again trailing early and failing to finish the comeback.
Stevenson 9, Scranton 8
In the first game, the Royals fell behind 5-0 after two innings and spent the rest of the game trying to rally. They cut the deficit to 5-4 after the top of the fifth, but Stevenson (3-4) scored twice in the bottom half. Scranton again pulled within one at 7-6 after the top of the seventh, but the Mustangs scored once each in the bottom of the seventh and bottom of the eighth.
Those runs were important as Scranton scored twice in the top of the ninth and had the tying run on second with two outs, but a line drive found the glove of the Stevenson third baseman for the final out.
Junior catcher Kevin Nolan (Ossining, N.Y./Fordham Prep) finished the game with two hits, three RBIs and a stolen base, senior designated hitter Sean Haveron (Old Tappan, N.J./Northern Valley Regional) singled, doubled and scored a run, and junior shortstop Brad Schneider (Ambler, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) singled, doubled, stole a base and scored twice.
Scranton also received two hits, two RBIs and a run scored from junior outfielder Ryan Coonahan (Oreland, Pa./La Salle College H.S.), and sophomore first baseman Ian McIntosh (Newtown, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) had two hits and scored twice.
Frostburg State 6, Scranton 4
Frostburg State (6-4) scored twice in the fourth to take the lead. After the Royals scored in the bottom of the fourth to pull within one, the Bobcats answered with a run in the fifth and two in the sixth to build a 5-1 lead.
But Scranton wasn't done, matching Frostburg State with two in the bottom of the sixth and one in the bottom of the seventh to get within 5-4. But the Bobcats added an insurance run in the top of the ninth and set the Royals down in order in the bottom half.
The Royals were led by freshman designated hitter Kevin Haag (Ossining, N.Y./Ossining/Bridgton Academy), who singled, doubled and scored twice. Senior outfielder Anthony Simone (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley Senior) had a solo home run, senior catcher Dan Hansen (Helena, Mont./Helena) had a hit and two RBIs and junior outfielder Tommy Trotter (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) singled and drove in a run.
Scranton will be back in action when the Royals travel to Fort Myers, Fla. for spring break. They will play eight games in five days, beginning with a single game against Lakeland on Saturday, March 11, at 3 p.m.
--ROYALS--