SELINSGROVE, PA - Susquehanna baseball marked the beginning of their home season on Wednesday night, falling 8-4 to the perennial CSAC/United East champion Keystone Giants on a cold and windy afternoon. The River Hawks only managed five hits on the day, with five players having one each.

The River Hawks fell behind 8-1 in the top of the ninth, but put together a small rally on the back of three walks and a hit-by-pitch batter as well as a 2-run single off the bat of Tony Rossi to cut the gap to four.

The Giants jumped ahead in the first inning, plating a run via a two-out hit. They would not add to their lead until the fifth, however, as first-time starter Harrison Keeler retired 11 consecutive batters after walking the leadoff man in the second.

Keeler pitched five innings while picking up the loss in his first career start, a career high in innings pitched. He was relieved by Brice Gregory, who threw two innings, then Vincent Mariella pitched the eighth while first-year Corey Bean made his collegiate debut by taking the mound in the ninth.

The River Hawks drew seven walks in the game, including three from center fielder Sean McCulloch. McCulloch also stole the only two bases of the game for the River Hawks, as he swiped second and third in the bottom of the first after walking. The senior has 17 stolen bases this year while having yet to be caught.

The defeat for the River Hawks makes them 6-10 on the season. They continue their Landmark and home slate this weekend with a three-game set against Catholic, two on Saturday and one Sunday, both beginning at 12 noon.