West Lawn, PA (May 7, 2016) – The DeSales University baseball team scored seven times in the first inning and cruised the rest of the way in an 8-2 win over Manhattanville College in the opening game of the MAC Freedom Baseball Championships on Saturday afternoon at Owls Field.
 
Sophomore Hunter Hart opened the game with a double and sophomore Conner Lafferty had a bunt single.  An error on the Valiants (24-15) shortstop put runners on first and second as Hart scampered home before a sacrifice bunt from senior Alec Hardy moved the runners up one base.
 
Junior Mike Kacergis then had an RBI single, junior Danny Licamara a two-RBI double, senior Jay Maletz had an RBI single to make it 5-0.  Lafferty drew a bases loaded walk four batters later and junior Tommy DePaul singled home junior Tyler Sweeney plating the seventh run of the inning as 13 batters went to the plate.
 
MVille got its first run in the fourth inning but the Bulldogs (26-13) answered with Maletz doubled home Kacergis in the fourth.  The Valiants plated one more in the fifth before the DSU bullpen pitched four scoreless innings in the win.
 
Senior Chris Polaski earned the win pitching five strong innings allowing six hits and two runs.  Freshman Austin Kroeger tossed three one-hit innings and junior Tyler Cooperman retired the side in order in the ninth.  The Bulldog defense turned four double plays in the win.
 
Maletz finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBIs, Licamara and DePaul also each had two RBIs, while Hart and Kacergis each had two hits in the win.
 
The Bulldogs will take on Misericordia University in the night game Saturday evening with the winner advancing to the championship game on Sunday.  Game time should be around 7:45 pm.