MYRTLE BEACH, SC - The 3rd ranked Northampton Baseball team opened the 2018 campaign with a split on their first day of action at the Ripken Complex, dropping their opener to SUNY Adirondack 0-4, and then regrouping to down Genesee Community College, 9-8, in game two. 

GAME ONE - vs. SUNY Adirondack (NY) - Lost 0-4
The Spartan offense was still in hibernation in game one, managing only 5 hits vs. the Timberwolves in the shutout.  Mike Ferrara (Cresco, PA/Pocono Mt. East) paced Northampton with 2 hits, while CJ Peetchaka finished 1-3 with a double. 

Noah Weber (Mohnton, PA/Governor Mifflin) took the loss on the mound, allowing 4 runs over 5 innings of work, with 6 hits, 4 strikeouts and 1 walk.  Jake Decker (Hallstead, PA/Blue Ridge) came on in relief for the final two innings, allowing 1 hit, 0 runs, striking out 1 and walking 3. 

Adirondack finished with 4 runs on hits with 2 errors, while Northampton had 0 runs on 5 hits with 1 error. 

GAME TWO - vs. Genesee Community College (NY) - Won 9-8
The offense came alive in game two behind the big bat of Tyler Melko (Knoxville, PA/Cowanesque Valley) as the Spartans scored 9 runs, but had to hold off the Cougars for a tight 9-8 victory.  

Melko finished 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI, Tommy Dunleavy (Bushkill, PA/East Stroudsburg North) hit his first collegiate homerun and Mike Ferrara (Cresco, PA/Pocono Mt. East) added 2 RBI with a 1 for 3 performance at the plate. 

The Spartans led 8-1 entering the bottom of the 5th, before the Cougars began their rally, scoring 5 runs in the bottom half of the 5th. 

Alex Super (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) got the win for Northampton, going 4.2 innings, allowing 6 runs (3 earned), while striking out 6 and walking 4.  Super got help on the mound from Drew Jackson (Berwyn, PA/Conestoga), who threw 1.1 innings, allowing no runs and striking out 1.  Zach Conley (Yardley, PA/Pennsbury) recorded the save, closing the door in the 7th, allowing no runs and fanning one. 

Genesee finished with 8 runs on 4 hits and committed 1 error, while the Spartans scored 9 runs on 9 hits and had 3 errors. 

The Spartans (1-1) are back in action on Monday when they play Quinsigamond (MA) at 12:30pm and Mohawk Valley Community College (NY) at 3pm.