By Rachael Cataldo, Asst. sports editor
Sophomore Bobby Grigas threw a complete game only allowing two runs to lead the Susquehanna baseball team to a 9-2 victory against Moravian, but the team dropped the next two games, one on Saturday and one on Sunday, to lose the series.
“As far as Saturday went, we as a team shoot to win the first game always,” freshman pitcher Will Carey said. “By doing this, it’s tough for any team to play a second game knowing you just lost the first.”
The Greyhounds got on the board early during the first inning, but the River Hawks quickly answered with a single run in the second and two runs in the third.
Junior designated hitter Ben Burman singled to start off the second inning. Junior Nick Berger hit a triple to right field to tie the game 1-1.
Senior shortstop Tom Giaimo led off the bottom of the third with a double and scored on a double hit by senior first baseman Cole Luzins. After two wild pitches, Luzins was able to score to give Susquehanna a 3-1 lead.
Moravian scored a run in the fifth, but Susquehanna extended their lead with three runs in the bottom of the inning.
Sophomore right fielder Justin Miller was hit by a pitch and Luzins knocked him home with his second double of the day. Freshman catcher Peter Yarem hit a two-run single to score Luzins and Berger, which gave Susquehanna the 6-2 lead.
Giaimo started the bottom of the sixth inning off with a triple to right center. Miller singled to left field to bring Giaimo home. Luzins knocked in a two-run homer.
Grigas pitched a solid seventh inning and cemented the 9-2 victory for the River Hawks.
Grigas struck out nine Moravian batters over the course of his seven innings.
Luzins went 3-4, Giamio went 2-4, and Burman added two hits in the win.
In the second game of the day, the River Hawks could not get their bats moving and were defeated by Moravian 1-0.
Sophomore Tyson Thrush threw six innings and only gave up two hits and an unearned run. Carey pitched three scoreless innings of relief to close out the game.
“The second game, our pitchers did a nice job at competing and getting outs. We were in the game the whole time and competing, but it goes back to execution,” Carey said.
Miller and Berger each had two hits for the River Hawks.
The River Hawks were defeated 5-3 in the final game of the weekend series on Sunday, April 8 against the Greyhounds.
“Knowing that we had lost the day before, we wanted to win this third game more than anything,” Carey said. “We battled all the way to the end and did the best we could and lost, but that’s baseball, it happens.”
Moravian took the lead in the top of the first, but Susquehanna battled back with three runs.
Miller was walked and Luzins followed with a single to advance Miller to second. Burman doubled to right center to bring Miller home and tie the game 1-1.
Berger singled to score Luzins and a sacrifice fly by sophomore third baseman Craig Roumes allowed Burman to score to give Susquehanna a two-run advantage.
Moravian scored a run in the second inning to trim the lead 3-2.
The Greyhounds tied the score in the fourth inning adding another single run.
Moravian led off the seventh inning with a solo homerun and added another in the ninth, taking the 5-3 victory.
Five River Hawks had one hit each while Burman, Berger, and Roumes all had RBIs.
“Now we just have to put that [the series loss] behind us and focus on competing during practice this week to prepare for the weekend against Juniata,” Carey said.
Susquehanna will return to Landmark action on Saturday, April 14 at Juniata with a doubleheader beginning at 12:30 p.m. The River Hawks will play a third game on Sunday, April 15. Sunday’s game is scheduled to start at noon.
