IMMACULATA, Pa. – The Immaculata baseball team was back in action on Wednesday evening against Gwynedd Mercy in a non-conference showdown, which also served as a preview of the three-game Atlantic East series to come later in the year. Immaculata was the dominant team throughout the contest cruising to a 13-3 victory over the Griffins.

The Mighty Macs struck first in the bottom of the second. Isaiah Payton reached base on a lead-off double into left field. He advanced to third on a fly ball into right field before scoring on a ground out courtesy of RJ Mason.

In the bottom of the third, IU expanded upon a lead-off walk from Joey Sacco. With one out, catcher Josh Crowding smacked an RBI-triple into right-center field, scoring Sacco. Richard Fontanillas then reached base on an error from the centerfielder, scoring Crowding. With two outs, Payton slapped an infield single to third base, scoring Fontanillas, and giving IU a 4-0 lead.

After a quiet fourth inning, the Mighty Macs returned to the plate in the bottom of the fifth. Joey Wright hit a one-out single into left field. Payton was then walked before a new pitcher was brought in by the Griffins. The next pitcher, however, was not successful on the mound as he walked Steven Theisen, Mason, and Frank Margiotta. Theisen and Mason were both hit by a pitch, while Mason and Margiotta each earned an RBI, scoring Wright and Payton, respectively.

In the top of the sixth, Gwynedd Mercy got on the board, building off of a lead-off single. With two outs, Gwynedd Mercy scored on an RBI-single and then on a throwing error, cutting Immaculata's lead to 6-2.

The Mighty Macs responded in the bottom of the sixth. Crowding and Fontanillas were walked consecutively to kick off the inning. Following a successful sacrifice bunt from Wright to move them over, Payton was intentionally walked, loading the bases with one out. Theisen then reached on an error by the shortstop, scoring Crowding. Then, with the bases still loaded, Mason slapped a triple into left field, clearing the bases for the Mighty Macs. Margiotta batted Mason in on a single into left field. On the inning, the Mighty Macs scored five runs, increasing their lead to 11-2.

Wright hit a double down the right field line with one out in the bottom of the seventh for the Mighty Macs. Payton then batted him in on a triple of his own into left field. Mason then batted him in on an RBI-single, increasing the Mighty Macs' lead to 13-2.
In the top of the eighth, the Griffins had a man on first when a series of errors on a single into left field scored the runner, giving the Griffins their third run on the day.

After a quiet bottom of the eighth for the Mighty Macs, the Griffins threatened in the top of the ninth. Two pinch hitters reached base with one out on consecutive walks before a double play ball to the second baseman ended the rally.
Starting pitcher Ryan Crowell (1-0) earned the victory for the Mighty Macs, pitching five innings of shutout baseball, notching eight strikeouts while allowing six hits and zero walks on the day.

Isaiah Payton went 3-for-3 on the day, scoring four runs and batting a home run short of the cycle. Meanwhile, catcher Josh Crowding hit a triple of his own. RJ Mason wrapped out the day offensively for the Mighty Macs, hitting for six RBI and a triple of his own.

The Mighty Macs are back in action next week as they begin Atlantic East Conference play against Cabrini University on Friday, March 26^th.