LA PLUME, PA- The Giants and Cougars went head to head in a non-conference match up, with both teams offense lighting up the scoreboard. The Giants surged late in the game, but the Cougars held on defeating Keystone 15-10.
Misericordia 15, Keystone 10:
Misericordia struck first in the game, earning the contests first run in the opening inning of play. The Giants did not wait long to take the lead though, as Benny Hess (Reading, Ohio/Reading Community) singled to right field, scoring Carlos Pascual (Paterson, N.J./International). Ray Moreta (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) flew out to center field, sacrificing his at-bat to score Dante Ruby (Archbald, Pa./Valley View) from third. The Giants led the Cougars 2-1 entering the second inning.
Both teams continued to show their offensive prowess, with MU adding three runs to regain the lead in the second inning. The Cougars scored a two run home run to start the scoring, before tacking on an additional run to end their half of the second. Keystone added a run to the board in the second, cutting the Cougar lead to one. Dee Rice (Spartanburg, S.C./Dorman) single to right center, scoring Colson Bennett (Camden, Del./Caesar Rodney). Misericordia added that run right back to the board in the third inning.
The Giants stayed vigilant, tying the game back up in the third inning. Benny Hess (Reading, Ohio/Reading Community) and Ray Moreta (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) both scored in the inning.
The Cougars regained the lead in the fourth inning, scoring one run to take the 6-5 lead. Both offenses went quiet until the sixth inning when Misericorida opened the game up with six runs, jumping out to the 12-5 lead. Kyle Trzaskawka (Shamong, N.J./Seneca) sent a home run to left field to cut the lead to six.
The Giants surged in the seventh when Jonathan Santiago (Dunnellon, Fla./Citrus Springs) sent a home run to left field, scoring two runs for the home team. Misericorida answered in the eighth, taking two runs back from the Giants. Carrington Thomas grounded out in the eighth, scoring Declan Dunleavy (Fleming Island, Fla./Fleming Island) to cut the MU lead down to six.
The Giants last effort came in the ninth when Erick Castro (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area) scored on a balk, but the Cougars defense stood tall, earning the win 15-10.
Keystone jumps right back into action as the team takes on Ithaca College on the road on April 15, hoping to jump start their next win streak. The Giants return home for a four game home stand following the game against the Bombers, starting with United East Conference foe, Penn State Berks on April 18.
