WILKES-BARRE, PA – Susquehanna baseball, with two wins already in hand against Wilkes after Saturday, dropped the finale of a three-game series on Sunday, 6-4, despite outhitting the Colonels 13-5. 

The River Hawks had tacked on three runs before starter Kieran Dougherty even took the mound, with a single by Michael Gagliardi scoring Tyler Hmielewski, who had singled and stolen second, to start the rally. Following that was a single off the bat of Dylan Heyduk and a double to center by CJ Orrego, which scored Gagliardi. Heyduk crossed on a sac fly by Jaden Buechler. 

Wilkes only recorded one hit in the first four innings, but emerged from those frames tied 3-3 after a three spot in the fourth. They added three more in the fifth to take a lead they would not relinquish. 

The River Hawks recorded hits in seven of nine innings, but one of the two they did not record a hit in was responsible for their final run in the eighth. Buechler and Griffin Shenman walked, setting up a fielder's choice by Lucas Zachesky to advance Buechler to third. Zachesky got in a rundown after being picked off, and hung around long enough for Buechler to score. 

Dougherty started for Susquehanna, not allowing a hit or run in two innings. He served as the opener for Ben Gearhart, who took the loss and was followed on the hill by Aidan Proctor and Zach Plank, who recorded two strikeouts. 

At the plate, Tony Rossi recorded three hits in five trips to lead the River Hawks, with Hmielewski, Gagliardi, Orrego, and Buechler all recording a pair. Buechler was only put out productively, going 2-for-2 with a walk and a sacrifice fly. 

The River Hawks stand at 17-19 overall and 10-11 in Landmark play. They'll return home one final time in 2025, facing York-PA on Tuesday, before they travel to Moravian with postseason positioning on the line.