Photo Courtesy of Susquehanna Athletics
By Ashley Nace
The Susquehanna Baseball team got off on the right foot in their first game of a three-game series weekend against Catholic University with a 4-3 win over the Cardinals in Saturday’s game at Harold Bollinger Field.
The highly defensive game was led by Susquehanna’s starting pitcher Ben Gearhart, who pitched a solid game from the mound through the first six inning.
“Catholic is a good baseball team, but it sure feels good to beat them,” said Gearhart.
However, the River Hawks had a rocky start.
In the first inning, the bases were loaded for Catholic after a couple of walks and a hit batter. Susquehanna was able to squeak past three outs without letting any runs score.
The second inning, the River Hawks were less fortunate, as a hit to center field scored a Susquehanna error. A bunt up the first base line that brought another Cardinal in followed, putting the River Hawks down 2-0 heading into the bottom of the second.
“The first two innings weren’t the best, and I’m just glad that I had the confidence from the coaching staff and the guys behind me to let me go figure it, and finally the fourth inning I figured it out more,” explained Gearhart.
But the River Hawks refused to leave the inning without getting a run on the board.
With two runners on first and second, Susquehanna’s junior Lincoln Hower hit a liner out to center field that brought home junior Paul Daly.
The Cardinals were held to their two runs until the eighth inning while the River Hawks kept advancing.
“Expect nothing from the offense, and then when they produce, go put up some more zeros and thankfully we did that,” said Gearhart.
Susquehanna’s offense produced again in the third inning, as a pop fly to left field allowed senior Dylan Heyduk to tag up on third and beat out the throw home, tying the game up 2-2.
The fifth inning saw impressive defensive action for the River Hawks after an all-around quiet fourth.
With one out and one on first, Gearhart threw a pick-off to first baseman junior Andrew Haussman, who chased down the Cardinal’s runner for the second out of the inning.
Haussman finished off the talented inning by stretching for a ball thrown to first in a full split to get the batter out just in time.
“We know we have the talent. We just don’t beat ourselves, and we play the game that we should play,” Gearhart said.
A three up three down tops of the sixth set the River Hawks up for success in the bottom of the inning.
A rip up the third base line for Daly, followed by successful at-bats for junior CJ Orrego and Hower loaded the bases for Susquehanna.
The Cardinals switched pitchers in attempt to exit the inning with no runs scored, but it proved to not matter.
A hit batter and walk brought Daly and Orrego home for the River Hawks. Catholic switched pitchers again, escaping the inning with no more runs against them.
By the end of six inning, the River Hawks were beating the Cardinals 4-2. Sophomore
Luke Goodwin relieved Gearhart, who garnered four strikeouts on the day, to start the seventh. Neither team put points on the board that inning.
The Cardinals brought in the final run of the game in the eighth, bringing the score to 4-3.
But the River Hawks ended on a high note, as Goodwin, who earned two strikeouts, closed out the game on a K to get the last out.
“It definitely helps to win the first one, so we got some more momentum now than ever,” Gearhart said. “But you know, we’re bouncing back after the frustrating couple games we had, and you know, guys are feeling good about themselves right now.”
Though the River Hawks earned more runs, the Cardinals lead the River Hawks in hits 9-6 and steals 3-1. They lead Susquehanna in walks too by a larger margin of 7-1. Each team earned six strikeouts on the day
Hower lead the River Hawks in hits, going 2-for-4 at the plate. Sophomore Jaden Buechler, junior Michael Gagliardi, Daly and Orrego joined Hower in the hit column with one hit each.
The River Hawks will play again Sunday, March 29 in a doubleheader against the Cardinals starting at 12 p.m. as they look to turn one win into a sweep.