SCRANTON, Pa. -- After being picked first in the Atlantic East Conference Preseason Poll, the Marymount University baseball team opened league play with a statement against Marywood University, as the Saints piled on the runs in a 20-3 thrashing of the Pacers.
With the win, Marymount improved to 3-2 overall on the year with a 1-0 mark in Atlantic East Play. Marywood moved to 3-2 and 0-1 in conference play. For the Saints, their 20 runs were the most they've plated since a 24-2 victory over Gallaudet University in 2018.
MU was nearly unstoppable at the dish all afternoon en route to their 17-run victory.12 different batters registered a hit, highlighted by Bill Wojcik and Alex Lemery, who went 3-for-5 and 3-for-6 at the plate, respectively. Lemery finished with two RBI and two runs scored, while Wojcik scored three runs. Bobby Leitzel, Casey Baker, Jake Mellor, and Craig Sodano joined in on the hit parade with two RBI each.
As unstoppable as the Saints were at the plate, their pitching was just as impressive. Senior Ryan Bergenhagen got the start on the mound and dealt throughout five innings of work. The Chesterfield, Virginia, native fanned six and gave up just two runs on one hit to earn the victory. Kenny Sysn struck out two in one inning of work, while Coleman Grehawick made his collegiate debut and struck out four across two innings. Stephen Gerade closed out the game on the rubber with a pair of strikeouts.
Marymount wasted little time to build its lead on Wednesday afternoon, as a five-run second inning broke the game wide open. James DiGiulian started the rally with a single through the right side that scored Baker. After a single from David Kurzrock, Robby Cable sliced a drive into center field to add another run. Leitzel cleared the bases in the very next at-bat with a single that gave MU a 6-0 edge.
A two-run homer from Lemery in the sixth inning put the game firmly in the Saints' control. MU never lost its edge, however, and used an eight-run explosion in the eighth inning to wrap-up the contest. A towering home run from Mellor was the punctuation mark of the barrage, as the two-run shot made it 20-2.
The Saints return to action this weekend when they host Marywood at Nats Youth Academy for a pair of contests. Game one is scheduled for a 2 p.m start.