VERO BEACH, FL – Susquehanna baseball used a ten-run fourth inning to win game one of a doubleheader against Capital University (OH) in Vero Beach, but were beaten in a game-two slugfest.
Game 1: Susquehanna 17, Capital 7 (7 innings)
Capital jumped ahead early off starter Ben Gearhart for two runs in the bottom of the first, but the first-year Gearhart settled in nicely, not allowing another run over his 3.1 innings of work.
The River Hawks exploded for ten tallies in the fourth frame, starting off with a Sam Martucci single. CJ Orrego walked, Tyler Hmielewski recorded a bunt single, and the hits and walks kept coming. Lucas Zachesky reached on a fielder's choice that saw no outs recorded, and Jaden Buechler gave Susquehanna a lead they would not relinquish with a two-run knock to right field. Two more walks followed, Tony Rossi's scoring a run, Michael Gagliardi singled to score Buechler, another fielder's choice by Orrego scored Dylan Heyduk, and the rally was capped off by two-run hits by Hmielewski and Joe Healy, with Healy's a two-bagger.
Robert Kramer came in to replace Gearhart and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fifth, working 1.1 innings on the day. He was relieved by Rossi, who punched out two while walking one.
Buechler came through for two more RBI in the sixth, with Zachesky also scoring a run with a hit by pitch. With the bases clear, Buechler stole second and third, but was stranded there.
Back to back doubles by Rossi and Gagliardi made it 15-6, before Orrego brought in Gagliardi to make it 16-6. An RBI knock by Healy scored pinch-runner Kaleb McGann to ensure the run-rule victory.
Alec Kulp tossed a hitless final frame to close the game out, allowing a run but punching out two on his collegiate debut.
Game 2: Capital 13, Susquehanna 9
Susquehanna dropped the second game of the doubleheader, falling 13-9 in a game where both sides displayed their offensive capabilities.
Capital were first on the board in a big third inning, crossing the plate eight times to take a commanding lead. The River Hawks got one run back in the fourth on a fielder's choice by Hmielewski that scored Martucci, and another run in the sixth after Capital had made it 9-1, with Martucci scoring this time on a hit by Zachesky.
Five straight hits in the seventh resulted in five runs, capped off by Orrego's first career home run, a three-run shot scoring Gagliardi and Martucci.
After Capital added needed insurance to go up 13-7, Jack Cahill scored on a hit by Buechler and Zachesky scored on a base knock by Heyduk. However, with the tying run on deck, the River Hawks were unable to manage the comeback win.
Harrison Keeler was stuck with the loss, going two innings while allowing four earned. Christian Rossi and Aidan Proctor led the River Hawks with two strikeouts in the game.
UP NEXT: With the split, Susquehanna moves to 7-5 on the season as they get set for Landmark play at Drew on Saturday, March 15.
