By Andrew Porzio Staff writer
Grigas threw seven shutout innings, striking out 12 batters to lead the Susquehanna baseball team to a 4-0 victory over Christopher Newport in Virginia on Feb. 26.
Grigas allowed only four hits but walked seven batters. He recorded strikeouts for five of the first six outs of the game.
“Grigas threw an absolute gem against Christopher Newport,” senior catcher Zach Leone said. “Everywhere I set up he was hitting his spots and showed great composure, especially for a freshmen.”
The River Hawks got on the board in the top of the fourth inning when freshman left fielder Justin Miller hit a sacrifice fly that brought home senior second baseman Danny Gordon to make the score 1-0.
After Grigas got out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the fifth, the River Hawks made it 2-0 in the top of the sixth inning with another sacrifice fly.
Junior third baseman Cole Luzins doubled to lead off the inning and moved to third on a Gordon bunt. With only one out, senior right fielder Taylor Luckenbill hit a fly ball to right field to bring home Luzins.
Susquehanna added to its lead in the eighth inning with a pair of runs. Luckenbill singled to score Gordon.
Sophomore center fielder Nick Berger then followed with a double into right field to score Luckenbill, making the score 4-0 Susquehanna.
Sophomore Nathan Madden came on in the eighth to relieve Grigas and pitched a near perfect inning, before senior closer Liam Conboy came on in the ninth to close it out for the River Hawks.
The win came in the last game after a busy opening weekend for last season’s Landmark Conference champions.
The team traveled to Christopher Newport for three games this past weekend against top tier competition.
On Feb. 24, the River Hawks opened their season against Christopher Newport.
The opening game ended in a loss for Susquehanna, as they could not find enough offense and were taken down by a score of 8-1.
On Feb. 25, Susquehanna hit the diamond against one of the best Division III teams in the country in Cortland State.
The offense came alive in game two for the River Hawks posting eight runs. However, it was not enough, as the River Hawks again fell—this time by a score of 11-8.
Leone had a strong performance on the day, hitting and double and a two-run home run.
Luzins led the River Hawks at the plate on the day with a 4-5 performance with a run and an RBI.
Sophomore Ryan Beckwith started the game for the River Hawks, giving up four runs on four hits in four innings pitched.
Sophomore Nate Madden got the loss in the final decision, however, allowing four runs in two innings.
Susquehanna finished with 14 hits on the day, but struggled with baserunning, which cost them dearly. The River Hawks had three runners thrown out at home during different innings.
The River Hawks return to Virginia on March 4, when they will visit Roanoke for a double-header beginning at noon.
Roanoke posted a 9-2 record in February, including the team’s most recent win over Ferrum.
