SELINSGROVE, PA (April 2, 2023) – The Susquehanna baseball team was dealt a pair of tough losses on Sunday afternoon, as visiting Mary Washington completed a weekend three-game sweep over the River Hawks with wins of 13-2 and 12-4 scorelines.
Game 1: RV Mary Washington 13, Susquehanna 2
The visiting Eagles got going straight away in the first game of the day, unleashing a six-run barrage in the top of the 1st inning, riding four hits along with some help from two SU fielding errors. This proved more than enough, as the River Hawks' bats were stymied on the other end, not managing their first hit until the bottom of the 3rd, and did not have more than one hit in an inning until the bottom of the 8th, where they scored their first run of the game on an RBI single by Jack Cahill. They would scrape a second run across in the bottom of the 9th as Riley McGallicher came up with a two-out, pinch-hit double before coming home on passed ball, but it would never look threatening, as the Eagles had already compiled 13 runs by that point.
The River Hawks had six total hits in the game, with two from Sean McCulloch and one from Tony Rossi and Tyler Hmielewski joining with Cahill and McGallicher. Ryan Redmond got the start on the mound for SU, taking the loss after 3.0 innings of work, allowing seven runs on six hits and striking out two batters.
Game 2: RV Mary Washington 12, Susquehanna 4
The start was not quite as prolific for the Eagles in game two, but they would nonetheless score in the opening frame, putting together three runs on five hits. Meanwhile, the River Hawk offense was once again being shut down by Mary Washington's starting pitching. This time, it would take seven innings for SU to get their first hit. By this point, Mary Washington held a 12-0 advantage and was racking up multiple hits in nearly every inning, looking at no point like they would relinquish the momentum. That 7th inning hit for SU would translate to runs though, as in combination with a fielding error, a passed ball, and a walk, J.P. Yore would be brought home to score on a fielder's choice, followed by Michael Biuso crossing the plate on an RBI groundout by Robert Cangelosi.
Still down 10, Jack Greco did well in relief to hold Mary Washington scoreless in the top of the 8th and 9th innings, giving the offense one last shot to cut into the deficit in the bottom of the 9th. They would do so, scoring two more runs through the help of two walks drawn and another Mary Washington fielding error, but it was too little, too late for SU.
The River Hawks finished with just three hits in game two, those belonging to Ruisch, Thomas Romanelli, and Thomas Andersen. They would be helped in their scoring endeavors by four fielding errors for the visitors. However, the hot bats were simply too much to overcome, as Mary Washington tallied a hefty 19 hits on the day, three of which went for extra bases.
Anthony Colucci was tagged with the loss for Susquehanna, falling victim to UMW's early onslaught as he completed just 2.0 innings while allowing eight runs on 10 hits. Greco gave a strong performance in relief, striking out four of the nine batters he faced while allowing just one hit.
Susquehanna will now look to regroup as they get back to Landmark Conference play this week. Sitting at 12-11 overall and 1-4 in the Landmark, the River Hawks will play their third game of the season against Scranton on Tuesday, April 4 at 4 pm. The teams have split the season series thus far, and the River Hawks will look to stop a seven-game losing skid and get a crucial conference win all at once.
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--RIVER HAWKS-
