EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. – The University of Scranton baseball team scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning to break a tie game and defeat Wilkes, 9-4, in non-conference action on Tuesday afternoon at Artillery Park.
Senior left fielder Anthony Simone (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley Senior) delivered a two-strike, RBI single to break a 5-5 tie and junior third baseman Patrick Mergel (Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem) followed two batters later with an RBI sac fly for a 7-5 lead. The Royals (17-19) put the game away when junior catcher Kevin Nolan (Ossining, N.Y./Fordham Prep) delivered a two-run double for the 9-5 lead.
Scranton, which won its third straight and fifth in the past six games, jumped out to a 5-1 lead after five innings, but Wilkes (10-24) battled back with two runs in the sixth and one each in the seventh and eighth to tie the game.
Junior right fielder Chase Standen (Newtown Square, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) put the Royals ahead right away with a two-run homer in the first inning. He finished with two hits, two RBIs and a run scored. Junior shortstop Justin Howell (Millington, N.J./Watchung Hills), who had two hits and two runs, scored on an RBI sac fly by freshman infielder Kevin Haag (Ossining, N.Y./Ossining/Bridgton Academy) in the third for a 3-0 lead.
After Wilkes got a run back in the bottom of the third, junior designated hitter Ryan Coonahan (Oreland, Pa./LaSalle College H.S.) had an RBI double and and Mergel delivered and RBI single in the fifth for the 5-1 lead.
Standen, Simone, Mergel and freshman Tim Gailor (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield), who singled, all finished with a stolen base in the win.
Junior righty Anthony Caladie (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) worked the final 1 1/3 innings for the win, improving to 2-2 on the season. Sophomore righty Liam Dougherty (Dalton, Pa./Lackawanna Trail) allowed just one run over the first three innings and junior Brian Jenkins (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) added two shutout innings of relief.
The Royals are back in action on Saturday, May 6, when they host Juniata in a Landmark Conference doubleheader at 1 p.m. at Connell Park. Senior Day ceremonies will be held between games.
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