MORRISTOWN/HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — The St. Elizabeth University baseball team opened conference play over the weekend with a three-game series against Centenary University, falling in all three contests despite multiple strong offensive performances throughout the set.

The Eagles dropped the opener on Friday in Morristown before falling in both games of Saturday's doubleheader in Hackettstown. St. Elizabeth totaled 15 runs and 30 hits across the three games, highlighted by several standout individual efforts at the plate.

Game 1: Centenary 8, St. Elizabeth 3

In Friday's conference opener, Centenary used a three-run second inning to seize control and never looked back in an 8-3 win over the Eagles. St. Elizabeth was held scoreless through six innings before breaking through in the seventh and adding two more in the ninth.

Chris Povemba led the Eagles offensively, going 2-for-2 with two runs scored and a walk, while Trevor Policastro and Cameron Vicari each collected two hits. Harrison Curran drove in a pair of runs, including an RBI single in the seventh and a sacrifice fly in the ninth, while James Morello added an RBI groundout in the final frame.

On the mound, John Santomassino worked the first six innings, allowing five runs (three earned) while striking out two. D. Lopez-Rodriguez and Malcolm Solomon combined to finish the final three innings.

Game 2: Centenary 7, St. Elizabeth 6

St. Elizabeth nearly erased a six-run deficit in the opening game of Saturday's doubleheader before Centenary walked off with a 7-6 victory in seven innings. After trailing 6-1 entering the seventh, the Eagles exploded for five runs to tie the game before the Cyclones answered in the bottom half with the deciding run.

The late rally was sparked by RBI hits from Cameron Vicari, Nick Villalba, and Sam Porch Jr., before Chris Povemba delivered a two-run single to even the score at 6-6. Sam Porch Jr. finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Cameron Vicari also went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Owen Murphy scored twice, and Trevor Policastro added a double and a run scored.

Nic Disciascio started on the mound for St. Elizabeth, with Jameson Riegel and Stephen Crandall working in relief.

Game 3: Centenary 10, St. Elizabeth 6

In the series finale, the Eagles again showed offensive fight, but Centenary used steady scoring and a four-run stretch over the fifth and sixth innings to secure a 10-6 win. St. Elizabeth scored three runs in the third inning to take an early lead and later rallied to tie the game at 6-6 in the sixth before the Cyclones pulled away.

St. Elizabeth pounded out 12 hits in the finale, led by Harrison Curran, who went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. James Morello added 2 hits and an RBI, while Trevor Policastro went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Chris Povemba continued his strong weekend with a 2-for-4 performance, including a triple, an RBI, and 2 runs scored. Mark Nesler Jr. and Nick Villalba each drove in a run as well.

Trevor Policastro got the start and tossed five innings, while G. Laliberte Jr. and Aidan Folsom handled relief duties.

Notables

Across the three games, Chris Povemba turned in a standout series, combining for 6 hits, 4 runs scored, and 2 RBI, while Trevor Policastro collected 5 hits and 3 RBI. Harrison Curran also had a strong weekend with 5 hits and 4 RBI, and James Morello added 4 hits and 2 RBI over the series.