Wilkes Baseball Opens Conference Play With Win Over Susquehanna
SELINGSGROVE, Pa. – The Wilkes University baseball team opened Landmark Conference play this afternoon on the road against Susquehanna University, securing a 5-3 victory over the Riverhawks.
With the win, the Colonels improved their early-season record to 4-5 (1-0 Landmark). The Riverhawks fall to 9-4 (0-1 Landmark).
After a scoreless opening two innings, the Riverhawks took the lead in the bottom of the third. Paul Daly smacked a double to left field to bring in Dylan Heyduk. Lucas Zachesky then grounded out on a sacrifice bunt, driving in Andrew Haussman to make it a 2-0 ballgame.
In the top of the fourth, Nathan Loch (Effort, PA/Pleasant Valley) brought in a run on an RBI walk to make it 2-1. The Colonels took the lead in the sixth inning when Jack Smale (Kunkletown, PA/Pleasant Valley) singled to right field, bringing Loch and Evan Melberger (West Pittston, PA/Wyoming Area) home and pushing Wilkes in front, 3-2.
Later on in the bottom of the eighth inning, Rocco Scarpitti was hit by a pitch from Jake Miller (Chambersburg, PA/James Buchanan), bringing in the tying run from third base.
In the top of the ninth, the Colonels had the chance to re-take the lead, and they did just that. Devin Markert (Pittston, PA/Pittston Area) launched a home run to right field, driving Jack Mathis (Exeter PA/Wyoming Area) home to make it a 5-3 game.
After bringing aboard the tying run via a walk, Susquehanna forced Wilkes' hand in the bottom of the ninth, who then brought Liam Huffman (East Stroudsburg, PA/East Stroudsburg South) from the bullpen to close out the game.
After striking out two batters, Huffman secured his first collegiate save, while Miller earned his first collegiate win on the mound as well. At the plate, Miller walked twice and stole a base. Loch walked three times.
Levandoski finished with five strikeouts and four walks in five complete innings. Ethan Grodack (Lake Ariel, PA/Western Wayne) pitched in 2.2 innings, striking out one and producing four groundouts while facing 11 batters.
Luke Goodwin had 4.1 innings of work on the mount, walking four and striking out six. Zach Plank was given the loss on the mound after allowing the home run in the ninth inning.
The Colonels continue their weekend series against Susquehanna tomorrow, March 15 with a doubleheader. Game one is slated for noon from Harold Bollinger Field.
