FORT PIERCE, FL - Susquehanna baseball started spring break off by sweeping Norwich University. The River Hawks earned the close battle in game one with a deciding score of 4-3, before defeating the Cadets in game two by a score of 8-5.
Michael Girardi played hero ball in game one, sending a dibbler to the first-baseman and beating out the throw to push the game winning run across the plate.
Game 1 (Susquehanna 4 Norwich 3):
- The first two innings of play were dominated by both teams defense, with both teams earning just one hit. Lucas Zachesky hit a ball that dribbled into center field to earn the first base hit of the game for the River Hawks.
- The third inning saw some offense from both teams, but it was Norwich that struck first. The Cadets reached first base off of a throwing error by the Susquehanna third baseman, resulting in a run being scored in the inning.
- Susquehanna's offense exploded in the third inning, resulting in three hits and one run. Michael Girardi started the hitting off early, putting a ball perfectly placed between the pitcher and catcher of Norwich.
- Dylan Heyduk followed that up with a single of his own, followed by a Michael Gagliardi sacrifice fly to left field that scored the game tying run.
- Andrew Haussman finished the inning with a single that pushed into second base.
- The fourth inning saw the Cadets once more clinch the lead off a two hit inning. Susquehanna was unable to regain the lead despite earning two hits in the bottom half of the frame.
- The River Hawks gained the lead for the first time in the game in the bottom of the fifth inning when Kaleb McGann sent a sacrifice fly to left field, pushing the game leading run across the plate in the likes of Aidan Proctor. Proctor resulted in one hit in the inning that pushed Haussman across home plate for the game tying run.
- Susquehanna came close in the bottom half of the seventh inning, but the Cadets defense prevailed, forcing extra innings.
- The Susquehanna defense faced three Cadets in the top half of the eighth inning, retiring each batter, giving Susquehanna the edge in the bottom of the deciding frame.
- Derek Asche pinch ran for Haussman who reached first base after being hit by a pitch. Jaden Beuchler pushed a sacrifice bunt to put the game winning run on second base.
- Paul Daly sent a ball to Norwich's third baseman which resulted in Asche being 90 feet from sealing the game on third base. Girardi sent a ball to the first baseman with two outs in the inning, beating out the throw to the Cadet pitcher, resulting in Asche crossing home plate for the Susquehanna win.
Game 2 (Susquehanna 8 Norwich 5):
- Susquehanna's offense struck early in game two of the twin bill, when Andrew Haussman shot a ball to right center, pushing Dylan Heyduk across home plate for the early 1-0 lead.
- Despite the early start on offense, the Cadets emerged victorious through one inning of play, taking the 2-1 lead into the second frame.
- Both teams defense held strong in the second frame, with neither team netting any runs on the board.
- The third inning of play belonged to Susquehanna's offense. Michael Gagliardi singled to left field, scoring Girardi.
- Andrew Haussman pushed in two runs with a single to left field, pushing in Heyduk and Gagliardi to take the 4-2 lead into the fourth inning.
- Susquehanna scored an insurance run in the fourth inning when Lucas Zachesky singled to left field, scoring Demonte.
- The River Hawk offense quieted down until the sixth inning when Dylan Heyduk singled to right field, scoring Michael Girardi.
- Rocco Scarpitti joined the SU offense with a double to right center, scoring Paul Daly. The Cadets tacked on their third run of the game in the seventh inning, cutting the SU lead to four.
- Norwich added their final two runs of the evening in the bottom of the eighth inning, cutting the SU lead down to two runs. Paul Daly singled to center field, scoring Asche for the SU insurance run.
- Austin Ozarowski stepped in for the save and faced off against three batters, striking all three out to clinch the win for SU 8-5.
Inside the Box scores:
- Susquehanna netted 10 hits in game one against Norwich. Girardi, Heyduk, Haussman, and Zachesky all resulted in two hits for SU. Proctor and Hower resulted in the remaining two hits for SU.
- Luke Goodwin earned the start for SU in game one, striking out seven batters, while also only allowing two runs. Robert Kramer resulted in eighth and final strikeout of the game, while also earning the win in game one.
- Susquehanna's offense exploded in game two, resulting in eight scored runs and 15 hits. Heyduk and Haussman both earned three hits during the contest. Daly and Zachesky earned two hits, while Girardi, Gagliardi, Orrego, Demonte, and Scarpitti all earned one hit each.
- Ben Gearhart earned the win in game two for the River Hawks, working six innings and striking out four batters. Lipton and Kimbrough both earned one strikeout for their efforts on the mound. Ozarowski finished his day with the save and three strikeouts, striking out every batter he faced.
Up Next for the River Hawks:
- The River Hawks continue their trip in the Sunshine State, facing off against Manchester University at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 2.
