FLEMINGTON, N.J. – The Philadelphia University baseball team was swept by eighth-ranked Southern Connecticut in a non-conference doubleheader Sunday afternoon at Diamond Nation. The game one score was 8-1, and the night cap was 6-1.

In the first game, Philadelphia (2-5) struck first by scoring in the top of the first inning. Left fielder Ken McCormick started the game with a walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by center fielder Rick Reigner, and made his way to third on a ground out. After a walk by right fielder Ryan Shellock to put runners at the corners, the Rams pulled off a delayed double steal that plated McCormick.

The Owls (6-2) scored eight unanswered runs, five coming in the fifth, to earn the win. First baseman Ryan Geffert led the Southern Connecticut offense with a pair of solo home runs, while left fielder Peter Testa added a three-run homer in the fifth.

Catcher TJ Burgmann and McCormick each had two hits in the game one setback for the Rams. The Owls outhit the Rams, 8-7.

Cole Bryant earned the win with eight innings on six-hit, one run pitching. He struck out four. David Lerro suffered the loss after allowing seven runs on six hits in 4.2 innings. Lerro fanned seven batters.

Game two saw the Rams fall behind 2-0 on a two-run double by Owl catcher T.J. Shea. Philadelphia answered back in the fourth with an unearned run. Third baseman C.J. Wallowitch hit a two-out single and Shellock, who walked in the previous at-bat, made it to third and scored on an overthrow.

Southern Connecticut padded its lead with four runs in the sixth inning. The big hit was a two-RBI, two-out single by third baseman T.K. Kiernan.

Ryan Yerina tossed a complete game three hitter to pick up the win for the Owls. Yerina recorded six strikeouts and one walk. Paul Goldman took the loss. Goldman went 5.2 innings, gave up two runs (one earned) on seven hits, and struck out four. Zach Harper had three strikeouts in his 1.2 innings of relief work, and Russell Trojan added two strikeouts.

Shortstop Hunter Greenwood and designated hitter Joe Tharyes had the other Philadelphia hits.

The Rams begin their home schedule on Tuesday, March 6 against Millersville University in a non-conference game. First pitch is schedule for 2 p.m. at Alumni Field.