SELINSGROVE, PA - While it may be mid-March, Susquehanna University baseball and Wilkes waged perhaps one of the most exciting Division III games of the season Sunday as both sides exchanged massive scoring innings that came down to the last at bat. A total of 45 runs were scored in a game that ran just short of five hours. While the River Hawks appeared to have a win in sight leading 21-13 going into the ninth, the Colonels reacted with ten runs in the top half to hang on for a 23-22 victory. A second game was planned Sunday, but was postponed due to concern over enough daylight. A makeup date for that third game of the Wilkes-SU series will be announced once confirmed.

HOW IT WENT DOWN

• Wilkes pushed the first nine runs across to hold a 9-0 lead going into the second inning. 
• The River Hawks shocked the Colonels with a nine-run second to tie things up. Paul Daly provided the exclamation point to this big inning with a game-tying two-run shot to left field. 
• The Colonels got one run back in the third to regain the lead at 10-9. It would be short-lived as Michael Gagliardi hit a three-run home run to left field in the bottom of the third to give Susquehanna a 12-10 advantage. 
• The River Hawks proceeded to add to their lead with three runs in the fifth, one in the seventh and five in the eighth for a 21-13 lead. 
• The top of the ninth proved troublesome for the River Hawks, as they let the first three Colonels on base due to a walk and two being hit by the pitch.
• Susquehanna reliever Tommy Kowaliwskyj got his next batter PJ Stonsby to strike out swining, then made Gannon Decker ground out back to him for the second out as a run came across to make the score 21-14. 
• What followed was a resilient run by the Colonels, who scored nine runs before the River Hawks could get out number three. Brian McDermott doubled to bring in two runs and cut the lead to 21-16.
• Two more batters got on to a walk and hit by pitch before Evan Melberger singled to left to bring in two more runs at 21-18. 
• Jack Veith walked on the ensuing at-bat to load the bases. SU turned to its bullpen several times in search of the final out, only for the next five runs to walk in due to a walk or hit by pitch as Wilkes led 23-21 going into the bottom of the ninth.
• Susquehanna tried a rally of its own when Jaden Buechler led off with a triple to center field. CJ Orrego grounded out on the next at bat, as did Rocco Scarpitti, though the latter's did enough to bring home Buechler to make it 23-22. With Michael Girardi stepping in to the batter's box as the tying run, he grounded out to short. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Susquehanna's 22 runs is the most runs scored by the program since 2016 when they defeated Merchant Marine Academy 25-7 on April 3.
• Andrew Haussman and Paul Daly had great days at the plate, each registering four RBIs. Daly's two-run homer highlighted a 3-for-6 day for the designated hitter, while adding a double. Haussman had a pair of two-baggers as he went 4-for-5.
• Michael Gagliardi finished with five RBIs thanks to his three-run home run, a run scored on a fielder's choice, and a bases-loaded walk. 
• Dylan Heyduk batted 2-for 4 with two RBIs, while Buechler's triple highlighted a day where he drew three walks. 
• In total the River Hawks drew 13 walks, while the Colonels had 12 bases on balls. 
• Susquehanna reliever Dominic Giglio logged the longest time on the mound of the eight pitchers called on for the River Hawks Sunday, pitching four innings with seven strikeouts. 

UP NEXT FOR THE RIVER HAWKS

• Susquehanna remains home this week as they prepare to host Juniata in the first of their three-game Landmark Conference midweek series. 
• This upcoming weekend the River Hawks travel to Dickinson on Saturday, Mar. 21 then host Gettysburg on Sunday, Mar. 22. 

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