Score: University of Scranton 8, Elmira College 3
Records: Elmira (7-28), Scranton (15-19)
Location: Volpe Field -- Scranton, Pa.

SCRANTON, Pa. -- The University of Scranton Royals took an early lead over the Elmira College baseball team, as the hosts scored seven runs in the first two innings en route to an 8-3 victory over the Soaring Eagles at Volpe Field.

The Royals posted a four-spot in the bottom of the first, with three of the runs scoring on a two-out, bases-loaded error. Scranton widened the game with a three-run second, during which the Royals brought out the bats and clobbered three doubles.

Although the Purple and Gold were outhit, 11-to-5, and were limited to just three runs, they had ample opportunity for more against Scranton reliever Alex DeRosa. In 4.0 innings, DeRosa walked five batters, but was wildly effective, as he limited EC to two runs and one hit in his outing. In DeRosa's first inning of work, he loaded the bases by walking Jansen Crossley '20 on four consecutive pitches. Joey Florio '20 drove in Elmira's first run with a sac fly in the next at-bat, making it a 7-1 contest.

DeRosa proceeded to re-load the base by walking Tommy Fogarty '20, and before walking Harrison Zambarano '19, the Scranton southpaw spiked a pitch in the dirt and to the backstop, giving Mason Ryan '22 time to race home from third to make it a 7-2 score. With ducks on the pond, DeRosa got Jack Thomas '22 to roll a routine grounder to second base to avoid further damage.

In the fifth, Zambarano and Thomas were both issued full-count free passes and were moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt dropped down by James Delaney '22, but ahead 2-0 against DeRosa, Jared Money '22 grounded out to end the frame.

EC's only other run of the evening came in the seventh, as Sam Plaugher '20 beat out a bunt base hit, stole second, and was driven in on a Florio RBI single.

The Soaring Eagles utilized six different pitchers to complete the contest by committee. In his first collegiate start, freshman Steve Leopold '22 was taxed for four runs, but only one was earned due to the two-out error. Leopold did notch his first career strikeout against the Royals to end his only inning.

Corey DeMauro '20 and Andy Reed '19 combined for 2.0 scoreless frames to finish the contest.

News and Notes

• Elmira and Scranton met for the first time on Thursday evening.
• Plaugher, Crossley, Florio, Zambarano, and Money each had one hit for Elmira.
• Zambarano reached base in all four plate appearances, as EC's designated hitter was walked three times.
• Florio was credited with both of Elmira's RBIs.
• Alex Crysler '21 was the third pitcher used against the Royals, and he tossed a season-high 1.2 innings of relief in his second consecutive scoreless outing.
• With one strikeout in his inning of work, Reed set a new single-season career high with 28 strikeouts as a senior.

Up Next
On Sunday, May 5, the Soaring Eagles will host Utica College at historic Dunn Field to conclude the regular season. The suspended game from April 19, which was halted after 10 innings with the score tied 3-3, will be finished before the two sides wrap up their Empire 8 Conference series with their third and final contest. Action is set to begin at 1:00 p.m.