CANTON, Ohio – La Roche baseball returned to action facing off against Mount Union in non-conference play Wednesday afternoon. The Redhawks would jump ahead early, but couldn't hold off the Raiders comeback, falling 8-6.
La Roche was first on the board, as Christian Melendez reached on a fielder's choice, collecting an RBI in the process, as Danny Suarez scored to make it 1-0 in the top of the first.
Mount Union would respond in the bottom of the second with an RBI fielder's choice of its own to even the score at 1-1.
The Redhawks opened up a solid lead in the top of the third, starting out with Dimitri Gary's three-run homer that moved the score to 4-1.
Ricky Heyz also pulled through with an RBI single in the inning, as the La Roche margin moved to 5-1.
Unfortunately, the lead would diminish in the bottom of the fourth, as the Raiders stormed for six runs to build a 7-5 lead.
An error opened the scoring to make it 5-2, followed by a two RBI single, then a bases clearing double.
Mount Union plated its final run in the bottom of the sixth, went it upped the score to 8-5 when a steal at third led to a Redhawks error.
La Roche fought in the top of the ninth to get back in the game. After a pair of strikeouts to open the inning, back to back batters reached base and Melendez again pulled through with an RBI single to make it 8-6, but it was all they could muster in the frame.
Samuel DiCicco took the mound for the Redhawks and in four innings allowed seven runs, but only two of which were earned. DiCicco allowed six hits, walked two and struck out three.
Cameron Mauk pitched two innings of relief, allowing one unearned run, one hit and fanned three, while Reed Bursic tossed two clean innings and set down two.
Offensively, La Roche picked up 10 hits with Melendez and Gary (2-for-4), as well as Suarez (2-for-5) all picking up multiple hits.
The Redhawks are back in action on Saturday, Apr. 6 when they return home in AMCC play with a doubleheader against Hilbert. Opening pitch is slated for 1 p.m. in the seven inning opener.