LA PLUME, PA- The Highlanders traveled to Scranton Monday afternoon to finish their series with the CSAC's first place squad, the Keystone College Giants.
 
Game started inauspiciously as the Giants jumped on the Highlanders with 5 runs over the first two innings. Alejandro Fernandez fired back for Cairn with a solo homerun over the field fence, but Keystone plated 3 more runs over the next four innings to take an 8-1 lead. With time winding down, the Highlanders mounted a rally in the 6^th inning. Brett Marks was hit by a pitch, Emilio Alvarez singled, and Nate Wilson walked to load the bases. Mike Sorowice put a ball in play, reaching first on a throwing error and scoring Nate Wilson. Alvarez was thrown out at home, but the recently healthy Brian Amantia Jr. mashed a homerun to right field for 3 RBIs to bring the Highlanders within 3 runs. Walks from Josh Melchior and Daniel Morales put the tying run at the plate for the Highlanders, but a fielder's choice ended the inning and the Highlanders rally. The Highlanders fell 8-5 in game one despite a 3-3 performance at the dish from Nano Fernandez and 3.2 innings of one run ball from Bryan Stimpson.
 
The Highlanders saw a stellar pitching performance from Sam Dralle in game two. The Highlanders powerful righty dealt all game, pitching 7.0 innings and allowing only 4 hits and 1 ER. Unfortunately, his counterpart on the Giants pitched an excellent game as well. The Highlanders picked up 6 hits, led by a 2-3 performance from Brett Marks, but were unable to notch key hits with runners in scoring position to come out on top. The Highlanders lost another close one to Keystone 2-0, but gained confidence as they look down the road to the CSAC playoffs and a fully healthy roster.
 
The Highlanders will host NJCU tomorrow at 3:30 PM for a single, 9 inning game.