Dallas, PA – Keystone College scored six runs over the final two innings to pull away with a 10-5 victory over host Misericordia University in non-conference baseball action on Monday afternoon at Misericorida's Anderson Field. The Giants, who have now won 10 of their last 12 contests, improve to 13-11 this spring while the Cougars see their record drop to 17-11-1 overall.
Keystone avenged an 8-6 setback to Misericordia 6 when the teams met earlier this spring on March 6th in Florida.
Keystone jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Lymbel Guerrero (Lynn, MA/Lynn Classical) doubled to left-center to bring in Kevin Catherina (Ridgefield, NJ/St. Mary (Rutherford)) and Domenick Montanaro (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/Egg Harbor Township).
Misericordia grabbed a 3-2 lead by putting up three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, but Keystone responded with back-to-back solo home runs by Guerrero and Rick McLaughlin (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) in the visitor's sixth to go up 4-3.
The Giants plated three more runs in the top of the eighth inning to push their lead to 7-3 as Gaston Rojas (Carmel, NY/Carmel) hit a two-run double down the right field line that plated Kevin Luciano (Everett, MA/Cambridge Rindge and Latin School) and McLaughlin before Dylan Corl (Morrisdale, PA/West Branch ) touched home on a double by Louis Reyes (Port St. Lucie, FL/Treasure Coast).
After Misericordia got a pair of runs back in the home half of the eighth, Keystone scored three times in the top of the ninth inning to push their advantage to five runs. Montanaro scored his second run of the day on an error by the Cougars before Ricky Riscica (Greenwich, CT/Greenwich) homered down the right field line to cap the scoring.
Guerrero finished the game with two hits and three RBIs, Riscica added a pair of hits and two RBIs, while Montanro and McLaughlin each collected two hits in the win.
Keystone starter Darren Lauer (New Hope, PA/Council Rock North) went five innings and surrendered three runs on three hits while striking out two batters. James Dunning (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) worked 2.2 innings on the hill and yielding two runs on three hits while fanning a pair of batters. Adam Sosnowski (Dickson City, PA/Mid-Valley) retired the only batter he faced while Steve Aniska (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) pitched a scoreless ninth inning to close out the win for the Giants.
Nick Hair and Al Reda had two hits apiece to lead Misericordia while Steve Cuccio scored a pair of runs in the loss.
Cougars' starter Dan Kliesh went 5.2 innings and was charged with four runs on six hits while fanning five batters. Cory Vogeli tossed 1.2 innings and surrendered three runs on three hits while adding a pair of Ks. Jim Tunison gave up one hit in 0.2 innings on the bump while Ryan Cacchioli was charged with three runs on three hits while pitching the ninth inning for the hosts.
Keystone will return to action on Wednesday when they host their second annual Veterans Appreciate Game against the University of Scranton. Opening ceremonies will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Christy Mathewson Field with the first pitch of the non-conference game against the Royals slated for 4:00 p.m.
