PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Pa.– In the team's series-opener against the York College Spartans, Eastern University Baseball dropped a 5-4 heart-breaker. The Spartans (8-8, 4-0) had just one extra-base hit in the game, but they converted a walk and a hit-batsman into a ninth-inning run to grab the lead in the game and in the series. The Eagles put a runner into scoring position with one out in the ninth but could not tie the game. Thomas Koslusky had three hits and drove in a pair of runs with a home run in the sixth inning.

For the Eagles (5-12, 0-4), it has been a similar story in each of their four league tests. They have been in every game, but in each contest, they have come up just a little short.

Brennan Moloughney threw six solid innings. The sophomore left-hander struck out five and allowed only three earned runs in his fifth appearance. The Spartans scored twice on two hits and an error in the second inning and then added two more in the sixth on four ground ball hits. Neither one of the RBI singles left the infield, but they're enough to put the Spartans up 4-2.

Koslusky drove his two-out blast through a steady breeze to left field to tie the game at 4-4. Leyton Bamesburger singled to lead off the sixth before being eliminated by a double-play. Justin DiCesare restarted the rally when he flicked a ball into right, and he scored on Koslusky's blast.

The Eagles had also tied the score in the fifth inning. Koslusky and Trent MacDougall singled with one out to start the rally. Robert Del Buono hit a ground ball to short, and Koslusky beat the throw to third. Luke Meehan then floated a single into the triangle between second, first, and right to score a single run. The Eagles tied the game at 2-2 on a sharp ball from Matt Gonglik that sent the York third basemen to his bag for his first out. Rather than throwing to first to complete the double-play, the York infielder threw home to get Koslusky who beat the throw to the plate.

Ethan Gwara worked scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth and struck out the first batter he faced in the ninth before a walk and hit batsman gave the guests an opportunity. Dylan Labukas came on in relief, and the Spartans went up on a flare to right.

Eastern saw a potential rally disappear in the bottom of the first after McDougall singled to lead off the game. Del Buono put down a bunt and ran through the bag at first. The throw just beat him and he ran through the glove prompting the umpire to call interference and bring MacDougall back to first. Meehan then singled to right to put two on with one out. A double-steal attempt failed and the Eagles could not get the run home with two outs.

With The Yard under construction, the Eagles enjoyed the privilege of batting last, but were in another new space as today's game was the first of two home games to be played at Villanova Baseball park. The Eagles will also host Hood College on April 11.

"Brennan has really shown his stuff this year," Head Coach Scott Renauro said after the game. Every game he pitches, he will give us a chance to win. than was sharp as well. All three guys attacked the zone. Tom carried us today. He's really been working on using the middle of the field and staying shorter to the baseball. He went 3-for-4 and even his out today was a ball to to the warning track in right center. A few mistakes defensively and on the bases hurt us in the end but we executed what we wanted to against a good lineup and a very good arm."

Evan Hughes, York's top starter, picked up the win, and Ethan Kennedy earned his fourth save of the year.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow in Central Pa. The Eagles won the only game in York last year.