BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The University of Scranton baseball team got another strong pitching performance from senior Sean McNamara (Scarsdale, N.Y./Fordham Prep) and junior Anthony Caladie (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) to knock off Moravian, 8-2, on Sunday to take the three-game Landmark Conference series from the Greyhounds.
McNamara worked the first six innings for the win, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out one. He improved to 6-3 on the season, increasing his career high for victories in a season and giving him 12 for his career.
Caladie worked the final three innings for his first save of the season and fourth of his career. He did not allow a hit while walking one and striking out two.
Scranton (15-19, 3-12 Landmark) jumped ahead right away with a run in the first and two in the second. Moravian (15-20, 9-8 Landmark) fought back with two runs in the fifth, but the Royals put any doubts to rest with a run in the sixth, two in the seventh and two more in the ninth to seal the win.
Junior shortstop Justin Howell (Millington, N.J./Watchung Hills) had a big game at the plate, finishing with a single, a double, an RBI and two runs scored. His RBI single in the second gave Scranton a 2-0 lead. Howell also capped a strong weekend with his third straight strong game in the field.
Junior center fielder Tommy Trotter (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) finished with two hits, a run and an RBI, and junior right fielder Chase Standen (Newtown Square, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) singled twice, stole a base and scored a run. Freshman designated hitter Kevin Haag (Ossining, N.Y./Ossining/Bridgton Academy) had a solo home run in the sixth, and senior second baseman Patrick O'Dell (Harleysville, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) had an RBI double and scored twice in the victory.
The work by McNamara and Caladie on the mound capped a weekend in which the Royals allowed just four runs in 24 innings, an ERA of 1.50. They allowed 21 hits and four walks for an impressive WHIP (walks + hits / innings pitched) of 0.583. Scranton won Saturday's opener, 4-0, before dropping the second game, 2-1, in eight innings.
Scranton will be back in action on Monday when the Royals travel across town to face Marywood in a non-conference game beginning at 4 p.m.
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