FORT PIERCE, FL - For their final game in Florida, the Diamond River Hawks won in thrilling fashion. Trailing 5-3 heading into the top of the ninth inning, SU knocked in six runs to steal the win against Penn State Behrend, 9-5.
Michael Girardi's single gave the River Hawks the lead, with
Austin Ozarowski shutting down the Lions in the bottom half for his first career win in an orange and maroon uniform. Susquehanna finishes their trip down south going 7-1 and return to Selinsgrove 8-3 overall.
Susquehanna 9-Penn State Behrend 5:
- The first three innings of play consisted of a pitching battle, with Josh Domaracki allowing just one hit through three innings of play.
- Susquehanna was the first to strike on offense with a Paul Daly two run homer to left center, giving SU the 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning.
- The Lions did not wait long to knot the game up, scoring two runs to knot the game back up heading into the fifth inning of play.
- Michael Girardi's single to left field gave Jaden Buechler enough time to cross home plate, giving Susquehanna the lead once more heading into the sixth inning.
- Susquehanna tamed any comeback of the Lions until the sixth inning, when PSU knotted the game back up once more at 3-3.
- The River Hawks were unable to find their groove in the seventh or eighth innings, allowing the Lions to take the lead 5-3 heading into the ninth.
- PSU notched two outs in the ninth inning before the River Hawks were able to rally. The rally began with Buechler single to third base, beating out the throw to first, giving Paul Daly enough time to cross home plate. Michael Girardi once more played hero, knocking a ball to right field, scoring both Buechler and Zachesky for the go ahead run.
- Dylan Heyduk and Michael Gagliardi both singled, pushing in two more runs in the likes of Lincoln Hower and Girardi.
- SU's final run of the afternoon came when a balk was called, scoring Dylan Heyduk.
- Susquehanna was able to fend off any kind of comeback from the Lions to hold on and win the game 9-5.
Inside the Box Score:
- Susquehanna finished the contest with 12 hits in comparison to Penn State's 10. Both Dylan Heyduk and Jaden Buechler earned three hits, with Paul Daly sending a ball out of the park.
- Josh Domaracki earned the start for the River Hawks, working 6.0 innings on the mound. Domaracki finished his time on the field with six strikeouts, allowing only six hits.
- Austin Ozarowski and Dominic Giglio finished the game for the River Hawks, with Giglio pitching 1.0 innings, allowing only three hits. The closer Ozarowski pitched the game's final two innings, striking out one batter, allowing one hit.
Up Next for the River Hawks:
- The River Hawks finish their Florida stay going 7-1. SU heads back up to Pennsylvania to take on Franklin and Marshall College on March 11 at Penn Medicine Park. SU's first home game of the year comes against Wilkes University on March 14 with a double header slated.
