KANNAPOLIS, NC - Susquehanna baseball downed the Falcons of Pfeiffer University 4-3 following a late start due to a rain delay.
Dylan Heyduk's RBI double broke a 3-3 tie in the fifth, then Susquehanna's bullpen stepped in to shut out the winless Falcons.
How it Happened:
- The River Hawks started the game with an uneventful first inning, seeing three batters step up to the plate, watching all three be retired. Susquehanna's defense returned the favor to the Falcons, taking down the first three batters of the afternoon.
- Susquehanna struck in the second inning, with a Michael Gagliardi double to right center field. Susquehanna continued their offense with a deep home run to dead center by Aidan Proctor. The Falcons were able to recover and close the inning out without allowing any more damage.
- The Pfeiffer offense earned reached a few bases in the bottom half the second frame, but came up short of crossing home plate.
- The third inning consisted of little offense from either team, as both defenses stood strong throughout the frame.
- Susquehanna once more found home plate, pushing their third run of the season across home plate. Michael Gagliardi sent a ball to center field taking the double. Proctor sent out a sacrifice fly to advance Gagliardi, with Owen Ayers earning the RBI ground out. Gagliardi scored the third run of the afternoon for the River Hawks.
- Pfeiffer's Jack Brandle sent a ball out of the park to cut into the SU lead, cutting the lead down to one run. The Falcons continued to earn base hits, eventually pushing the third and game tying run across the plate. Susquehanna escaped the inning tied 3-3.
- Jack Cahill landed on first base in the top half of the fifth inning following a fielder's choice. Dylan Heyduk sent a ball to right field, resulting in a double for the senior as well as the eventual game deciding run being scored by Jack Cahill.
- Even though the Pfeiffer offense strung along a few hits, the remainder of the afternoon belonged to the River Hawk defense, shutting Pfeiffer out for the final four innings and winning the game 5-4.
Inside the Box Score:
- The River Hawks totaled six hits during the contest, with the Falcons earning seven total hits. Michael Gagliardi finished the game going 2-3 from the plate, including one free pass. Lincoln Hower, Dylan Heyduk, Aidan Proctor, and Michael Girardi all notched one hit for the River Hawks.
- SU tallied up four free passes, with Pfeiffer earning two.
- Josh Domaracki earned the win for SU, pitching a total of five innings, allowing five hits and three runs. Cole Lilore earned the save for SU, pitching the ninth inning, allowing zero hits while facing four batters.
Up Next for the River Hawks:
- The River Hawks continue their trip in North Carolina with a noon start against Piedmont University on February 21. The River Hawks round out their trip down south on Sunday, February 22 against Berry College (Ga.).
