Auburndale, Fl. (3/16/2024) - Gwynedd Mercy University (5-7) competed in their final game at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational as the Griffins took on Keystone College (6-5). The Giants got off to a fast start as they scored three runs in the first and two more in the fourth eventually handing the red and gold a 9-4 loss. Down in Florida, Gwynedd Mercy went 2-4 and was outscored by a combined score of 40-33 in six games. Junior pitcher Cooper Root (Runnemede, N.J.) was one-for-four with a hit, two runs batted in (RBI), and a walk.  

Griffin Highlights: 

• In the seventh inning, Gwynedd Mercy finally got on the board with an RBI sacrifice fly to right field from senior infielder Nick Price (Levittown, Pa.) to allow Root to score (9-1).
• Both junior catcher Justin Smith (Broomall, Pa.) and freshman infielder Daulton McDonald (Cinnaminson, N.J.) took one for the team and were both hit by a pitch putting runners on first and second with no one out. A walk and a couple of wild pitches later Smith would cross home plate and bring the score to 9-2. Root would the final two runs on the board for the Griffins with a two-RBI single to right field bringing home both McDonald and sophomore outfielder Chris Nodeland (Hamilton, N.J.) (9-4).  
• Junior pitcher Ethan Ferraro (Gilbertsville, Pa.) got the nod and had a rough outing only pitching one inning, giving up three earned runs, and four walks in the loss (0-2).  

Gwynedd Mercy University returns to Frank O. Genuardi Legends Baseball Field on Tuesday, March 19, when the Griffins battle Stockton University for a 3:00 p.m. first pitch.