Moravian Snares One-Run Win In Landmark Contest

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Greyhounds captured their fourth straight Landmark Conference victory, defeating Susquehanna University, 5-4, at Gillespie Field. The victory improved Moravian to 7-5 in Landmark Conference action and 15-15 overall.

The Crusaders jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. John Lunardi led off the game with a solo home run to left center field and Chris Price would hit a two-out solo homer to left center later in the inning.

Moravian would get three runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 3-2 lead. Freshman designated hitter Jake Schweitzer drew a walk to lead off the inning and was safe at second base on a ground ball by freshman catcher Jon Baltz as Susquehanna tried to get the lead runner out. After an out, freshman third baseman Jason Huber hit an RBI single to center field to score Schweitzer. On the play, Baltz was attempting to go to third base when the throw from the outfield ended up in the Moravian dugout, allowing Baltz to go home and Huber to reach third base. Junior outfielder Eric Shea then reached on the second of three Susquehanna errors in the inning to give the Greyhounds the lead.

Moravian added a run in the bottom of the third inning to increase its lead to 4-2. Sophomore outfielder Brad Bodine singled with one out and moved to third on a Crusader throwing error on a ground ball hit by Schweitzer. Baltz would then hit an RBI infield single to score Bodine.

Susquehanna tied the contest in the top of the fourth inning with a pair of runs. Kyle Wertman led off with a double and stole third base. After a pair of strikeouts, Jason Gaccione walked and stole second base to put two runners in scoring position for Zack Brigman's two-RBI single.

The Greyhounds took the lead right back in the bottom half of the fourth inning with the final run of the game. Sophomore outfielder David Lengyel led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior shortstop Kevin Gambrino. Lengyel would move to third base on a ground out by junior first baseman Joseph Durso before scoring on an RBI single by Bodine.

Each team had nine hits in the contest with Bodine and Huber each going three-for-four for the Greyhounds. Baltz added two hits in the victory. Don Kirkland and Tyler Reichard each had two hits for Susquehanna.

Freshman Luke Skutches earned his first career victory for Moravian, allowing three hits and a walk with one strikeout in 2 2/3 innings of relief. Sophomore Brandon Palmisano started on the mound for the Greyhounds, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out a career high eight batters. Senior Brett Stout moved in from second base to pitch 1 1/3 innings with a hit, a walk and two strikeouts for Moravian setting up sophomore Joe Melchionna, who earned his first save of the season in an inning of action.

Bryce Warden dropped to 4-2 on the year for Susquehanna, allowing five runs, just three earned, on seven hits and three walks with three strikeouts in six innings of action. Keith Needham finished off the game allowing two hits in two innings on the mound.