FLEMINGTON, NJ—Behind two solid pitching performances from senior Rocky Sawyer (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) and junior Bobby Della Polla (Havertown, Pa./St. Joseph's Preparatory), The University of Scranton opened its 2012 season by sweeping Albright College Saturday afternoon at Diamond Nation.
Sawyer struck out 10 and scattered eight hits as the Royals won the opener, 8-5. In the second game, Della Polla allowed only two hits and struck out 10 in picking up the complete game victory, 5-2.
Tied 3-3 in the first game, the Royals took advantage of three errors in the bottom of the fifth inning to push across five runs. Sophomore Eric Pizzico (Royersford, Pa./Spring Ford) started the rally with a one-out sole home run. Scranton also received two hits apiece from junior catcher Michael Amaturo (Rye, NY/Rye) and senior infielder Jesse Outhouse (Croton Falls, NY/North Salem), who also scored twice.
Sophomore Chris Rom (Wantagh, NY/Wantagh) came on in relief of Sawyer with two outs in the bottom of the seventh and got the final out to earn the save. Senior Jon Raymond (Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) drove in all three runs for Albright.
Della Polla was dominating in the second game, not allowing a base hit after the third inning and striking out the sides in the bottom of the seventh after walking the first two batters in the frame. The Royals overcame an early 2-1 deficit and used a three-run rally in the fourth inning that featured an RBI single by senior Sean Butler (Dickson City, Pa./Scranton), who drove in junior Ryan Eden (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Preparatory), who doubled. The Royals tied it up in the third on a solo home run by sophomore Michael Gaeta (Cranford, NJ/Cranford), who finished with three hits. Butler also belted a double for Scranton, which will return to action Sunday afternoon at 12:00 noon against Arcadia University at Diamond Nation.
Sophomore Collin Hecker (Reading, Pa./Holy Name) hit a solo home run and Raymond had the Lions' other hit off Della Polla. The loss dropped Albright to 2-5 on the season.