By Rachael Cataldo, Asst. sports editor
The Susquehanna baseball team rallied for seven runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to come back from a 10-4 deficit to defeat Neumann University 11- 10 on Tuesday, April 17 at Bollinger Field in Selinsgrove.
The Knights got on the board quickly scoring five runs in the top of the first inning. The River Hawks brought in one run in the bottom of the inning.
Senior shortstop Tom Giaimo and junior designated hitter Ben Burman had a double steal. The Knights’ catcher overthrew to third base and allowed Giaimo to score.
Neumann immediately answered and scored another run in the top of the second.
In the bottom of the third inning, freshman left fielder Steve Lorenz hit an RBI single to make the score 6-2.
“Stepping up to the plate, I knew that it was important to get on base anyway possible and extend the inning,” Lorenz said. “We needed many runs and it would take almost our entire lineup to come back and win.”
The Knights scored three more runs in the top of the fourth and a single run in the sixth inning to extend their lead 10-2.
Susquehanna scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Senior first baseman Cole Luzins had a two-run single that brought sophomore right fielder Justin Miller and third baseman Craig Roumes home.
The River Hawks trailed by six runs moving into the ninth inning 10-4.
Junior reliever Andrew Russell pitched a quiet ninth inning to lead into a big rally by Susquehanna.
Freshman designated hitter Lance Welsh singled up the middle to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning. Lorenz was hit by a pitch and three River Hawks were walked in a row to load the bases with no outs.
Freshman second baseman Luke Tuttle hit a 2-RBI single to left field to make the score 10-8. Miller was walked to reload the bases.
Luzins hit a two-run single up the right side and Miller advanced to third base.
Giaimo hit a ground ball to third base to bring Miller home. The River Hawks walked off with an 11-10 victory over the Knights.
“It’s really exciting to win a game after you are trailing by many runs,” Lorenz said. “Having a big comeback win gives our team a lot of confidence and momentum heading into the weekend series against Elizabethtown.”
In the ninth inning, 11 River Hawks stepped up to the plate and all of them reached base throughout the game.
Tuttle and Lorenz each went 3-4 and Luzins led the team with four RBIs.
The River Hawks then kept their winning streak going at home as they defeated Messiah College 10-6 on Wednesday, April 18.
Susquehanna fell behind 3-2 after the first inning and trailed by three runs after the Falcons added two more runs in the fifth.
Luzins hit a double with the bases loaded in the sixth inning to score three runs. Giaimo singled to score Luzins and give Susquehanna a 7-5 lead.
Messiah added one run in the top of the seventh.
Freshman catcher Peter Yarem singled home one run. Miller and Luzins both had hits with the bases-loaded to score another two runs.
The River Hawks scored 10 runs on just seven hits thanks to 10 walks and three errors by Messiah on the day.
Sophomore Tyson Thrush earned the victory with a shutout inning of relief. Sophomore Bobby Grigas closed out play in the ninth with three strikeouts.
“I believe that we are a very strong team. I think the most important thing for us to improve on is playing consistent and bringing our best game to all three games in each conference series,” Lorenz said.
Susquehanna returns to action Saturday, April 21 at Elizabethtown with a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m.