WILKES-BARRE, PA (April 27, 2023) -- First year Quin Acchione rocketed his first career home run in the bottom of the ninth to lead the King's College baseball team faced a 5-1 set back to Delaware Valley University at Lipo Field in the opening game of the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) series. With the loss, the Monarchs drop to 16-20 overall and 6-16 in the MAC Freedom standings, while the Aggies improve to 14-22 with an 8-15 conference mark.
 
It was a quick match up on Thursday afternoon as neither team could get much going at the plate through the first two innings. Delaware Valley (14-22, 8-15 MAC Freedom) broke through first, scoring one in the top of the third before adding another in the top of the fourth to go ahead, 2-0.
 
The King's (16-20, 6-16 MAC Freedom) offense continued to stutter through the contest, but their defense remained strong as there were just five combined hits recorded in the next four innings as the game entered the final frame with the Monarchs still trailing, 2-0.
 
The Aggies tacked on three insurance runs in the top of the ninth, but shortstop Will Hronich turned a double play to end the inning and stifle the strong frame by the visitors. Facing the 5-0 deficit in the bottom of the ninth, first year Quin Acchione hit a one-out homer to the batting cages in right field to put King's on the board, but the Delaware Valley defense remained strong down the stretch as the Monarchs fell, 5-1, at Lipo Field on Thursday afternoon.
 
Nick Ciszak, Chase Yochem, Acchione, and Hronich all put up hits in the loss. Matt Martin picked up the loss as the starter, giving up one earned run on eight hits through 7.1 innings of work while striking out six. Josh Kilvitis threw well in the final inning of relief, holding the Aggies scoreless off one hit with one strikeout.
 
The Aggies were led by Garrett Zimmerman as he went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a run. Both Jonathan Drews and Hank Bielen put up two hits as well in the win for Delaware Valley. Derek Cannon earned the win as the starter, throwing 6.0 innings and holding the Monarchs scoreless with three hits.
 
King's will wrap up their 2023 season with the MAC Freedom doubleheader at Delaware Valley. The games date and times are to be determined due to the inclement weather forecast for this weekend.