5/10/24
 
WEST WINDSOR TWP., NJ – Backed by a persistent rain storm, the Lackawanna College baseball squad was just as unrelenting at the plate, putting up nine runs through the first four innings and running away with a 13-5 run-rule victory in seven innings over the County College of Morris on Friday morning at the Mercer County Baseball Park in the opening round of the Region XIX DII baseball playoffs.
 
The Falcons (30-21) overcame an early 1-0 deficit with a five-run second, then added a pair of runs in both the third and fourth innings, before racking up four more in the bottom of the seventh to walk things off early via the eight-run rule. Lackawanna had eleven total hits, including three doubles and two homeruns, and got a strong start from Jace Cunnane (Sophomore; Clarkstown, NY), who struck out nine and gave up two runs, on earned, over five innings to get his fifth win of the season.
 
Morris (29-14) held a 1-0 lead after a bases loaded single in the second with two outs, but Cunnane got a strike out to strand the runners and limit the damage. Michael Miller (Sophomore; Lafayette Hill, PA) led the bottom frame off with a solo homer to tie the game, and the Falcons immediately pounced with a walk, a double, and then a two-run single from Brayden D'Amico (Sophomore; Bethlehem, PA) that made it 3-1, Falcons. An RBI-double from Jake Kelleher (First Year; Exeter, PA) made it 4-1, and the Falcons never looked back.
 
Lackawanna held a 9-2 lead in the seventh inning, when Morris touched up the Falcons for three runs, taking advantage of three wild pitches and an error, plus an RBI-triple, to trim the Lackawanna lead to 9-5, but the Falcons immediately responded in the bottom half, when a one-out single from Kelleher scored a run, then an error with the bases loaded scored two more runs, and Nick Matson (Redshirt First Year; Nanticoke, PA) singled in the game-winning run to push the Lackawanna lead to 13-5, triggering the eight-run rule.
 
Kelleher was a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and three RBI. Miller went 2-for-4 with his solo homer, a double, and two runs scored, and D'Amico finished 1-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBI. Louis Kegerreis (Redshirt First Year; Murrysville, PA) was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI, both coming on a two-run homer, and the Falcons drew eight walks on the day. Lackawanna has now won ten straight games.
 
As the rain started to get more pronounced throughout the day, the Region XIX DII Baseball playoff schedule was adjusted. There will be a tripleheader on Saturday, May 11th, taking place at Mercer County CC's baseball field. The first game will come at 9:00am ET, and will be an elimination game between Morris and Sussex. Thirty minutes after the conclusion of that game, Lackawanna will play top-seed Mercer, which beat Sussex 14-6 in seven innings, in the Region XIX DII semi-final. 
 
The winner of the Morris/Sussex elimination game will face the loser of the Lackawanna/Mercer game in another elimination game, set for tentatively a 3:00pm ET start at Mercer County CC's baseball field.
 
Then, on Sunday, May 12^th, the remaining unbeaten team will play the remaining one-loss team in the first of potentially two games for the Region XIX championship. If the unbeaten team wins game one, that team is the champion. If the one-loss team wins game one, there will be a winner-take-all contest immediately following to crown a champion. Both games will be played at Mercer County CC's baseball field.
 
All of this is, of course, dependent upon the weather's cooperation. Saturday's weather, as it stands right now, should be cloudy, with temperatures hovering in the 50s and 60s, and little to no chance of rain. Things will get dicey for Sunday, however, as there is significant chances of rain in the morning and early afternoon, tapering off later in the day.
 
Please pay attention to lackawannafalcons.com and the social handles for both Lackawanna College Athletics and Lackawanna College baseball for scheduling updates and changes as we get them.