SELINSGROVE, PA (March, 18, 2023) – The Susquehanna baseball team began their 2023 Landmark campaign on Saturday afternoon while also playing their first home games of the season, welcoming Scranton to Selinsgrove for a doubleheader. After a slow start saw the River Hawks blanked in a 5-0 defeat in game one, they came on strong for game two with an offensive explosion and a 13-2 victory.

Game 1: Scranton 5, Susquehanna 0

Much of the decisive action for the opening game came in the early innings, as the SU lineup struggled to pick up any hits off of Scranton starter Daniel Johnson, while the Royals methodically built an advantage, tallying five runs from the 2^nd through the 5^th inning against the River Hawks' starter, Dillan Weikel. A tough outing for Weikel saw him give up five runs on eight hits in 4.0 innings of work. Landon Ness and Nathan Dawes would combine for the final five innings in relief, with Dawes throwing the last four frames while allowing just one hit, shutting Scranton down after their early onslaught.

However, hitting remained a struggle for SU, as they would total just three hits in the game. Their closest scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the 4^th inning, while a two-out walk put Tony Rossi on base before Michael Mancuso followed with a double to deep right field. Rossi raced around the bases and headed for home, but would be called out sliding into home to end the inning and hold the River Hawks off the board. Ironically, all three of SU's hits would actually be extra base hits, as Kris Morrow and Lance Book would also hit doubles, but SU was simply unable to capitalize.

Game 2: Susquehanna 13, Scranton 2

Despite the final result, the River Hawks began game two on the back foot, with Scranton jumping out to a two-run lead in the top of the first inning, aided by a home run and a double from back-to-back hitters. But after the initial hiccup, starter Tyler Rigot would settle into the game and deal a fine outing, allowing just three total hits in 6.0 innings pitched while fanning eight batters. He'd also get plenty of run support, starting in the bottom of the 3^rd inning. SU would tie the game at two apiece in the frame, as Sean McCullouch led off with a single, then advancing to third on a single by Brock Veit. Veit would then swipe second base to give SU runners on second and third with just one out. Book would ground out to second base but pick up an RBI as McCulloch scored. Tony Rossi then came up with a clutch piece of hitting, singling up the middle to score Veit and tie the game. He also stole second and third base, but a strike out ended the inning before Susquehanna could claim the lead.

The scoring reprieve would be brief, as Susquehanna would break the game wide open in the bottom of the 4^th, batting through the order and scoring a hefty seven runs. It began with J.P. Yore being hit by a pitch, then being moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Tyler Hmielewski. Dylan Heyduk moved Yore to third with a single through the right side of the infield, then stealing second to again set up SU with runners on second and third with one out. A strikeout gave Scranton their second out, but Kris Morrow would then draw a walk to load the bases. The River Hawks would then get more clutch hitting, this time through Veit as he ripped a two-RBI single to right field and gave Susquehanna their first lead of the day. Even more followed, as Book came to the plate and ripped his second double of the day, this one netting him two RBIs as Veit and Morrow scored and doubled the lead. Rossi then hit yet another RBI single up the middle to make the score 7-2. Still not finished, Mancuso flexed his power to cap the scoring run with an absolute rocket of a home run, easily clearing the right field fence to get two more runs for SU, all seven coming with two outs on the board.

The River Hawks continued to hit as the game went on, scoring another run in the bottom of the 5^th as Hmielewski joined in with his own extra-base hit, the first of his career as he doubled to deep center field before scoring on a sacrifice fly from McCulloch. Book would then put an exclamation point on his monster day with a two-run homer in the bottom of the 7^th to stretch the lead to double-digits. The final run would score in that same inning as Heyduk hit an RBI single that scored Yore.

Susquehanna would cruise to the end of the game with Jason Stine, Brice Gregory, and Jack Greco each picking up an inning of work in relief duty, never allowing Scranton to sniff any comeback opportunities. The River Hawks totaled 12 hits as a team, with Veit putting up a brilliant performance at the plate, going 3 for 3 with three runs scored, two RBIs, a walk, and a stolen base. Book amassed five total RBIs to lead the team, while Rossi and Mancuso would register two each. Heyduk also continued his excellent work at the plate, with the first-year registering his fourth multi-hit game in just ten appearances.

The third game of the series with Scranton that was scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed due to weather, so it remains to be seen what will come in the rubber match. SU now sits at 11-4 overall and 1-1 in the Landmark. Their next five games will take them on the road, as they visit Wilkes on Wednesday, March 22 for a non-conference game at 3:30 pm. They will then face their first road conference series of the year next weekend, visiting 15^th-ranked Catholic University for a doubleheader on Saturday the 25^th and a third game on Sunday the 26^th.

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--RIVER HAWKS--