ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. – Sophomore first baseman Kevin Haag (Ossining, N.Y./Ossining/Bridgton Academy) connected for his first home run of the season, but it was not enough as The University of Scranton baseball team suffered a 5-3 loss in a Landmark Conference game at Elizabethtown on Thursday.

Haag launched a two-run shot in the top of the third that brought the Royals (7-6, 2-2 Landmark) within 3-2. But Elizabethtown (5-9, 2-2) held the Royals off with a run in the fourth and an insurance tally in the eighth.

Sophomore second baseman Tim Gailor (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) added an RBI ground out in the top of the fourth, again bringing Scranton within one at 4-3. The Royals threatened in the eighth with runners on the corners and two outs, but could not score.

Haag finished with three hits, two RBIs and a run. Freshman left fielder Connor Harding (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal Central) had two hits and a run, and senior third baseman Patrick Mergel (Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Central) and junior first baseman Ian McIntosh (Newtown, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) both had two hits.

The Royals outhit the Blue Jays, 12-9, but left eight runners on base. They were also hurt by two errors that led to three unearned runs by Elizabethtown.

Senior lefty Brian Markowski (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) took the loss on the mound, allowing four runs, two earned, on six hits and four walks while striking out two in 4 1/3 innings. Sophomore righty Bobby Hegarty (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh) worked 3 2/3 innings of relief, allowing an unearned run on three hits while striking out two.

The Royals and Blue Jays will continue their Landmark Conference series on Monday with a doubleheader beginning at 12:30 p.m. in Elizabethtown, Pa.

--ROYALS--