FLUSHING, N.Y. – The D'Youville University baseball team defeated Queens College 7-1 on Saturday to salvage a series split.
 
Both teams were held hitless through the first two innings, but the Saints broke through in the top of the third. After senior Dillon Crook (Liverpool, N.Y.) drew a leadoff walk and stole second, redshirt freshman Lucas Penner (Leamington, Ontario) singled to left to bring in the first run of the day.
 
Junior Billy Morris (Lancaster, N.Y.) got the start on the mound for DYU and was dealing, not allowing a baserunner until the bottom of the fourth. He worked around leadoff singles in the fourth and fifth inning to preserve the Saints' 1-0 lead.
 
The Saints had a chance to extend their lead in the top of the seventh after junior Jonathan Simpson (Grand Island, N.Y.) walked and Crook singled, but they were unable to score. Queens finally broke through against Morris in the bottom of the seventh, putting together three hits to bring in a run and tie the game at 1-1.
 
The Saints responded with a six-run outpouring in the top of the eighth. Sophomore Derek Onevelo (Buffalo, N.Y.) walked and junior Kevin Del Vecchio (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) was hit by a pitch to set the table for the rally. Senior Alec Boucher (Essex, Ontario) broke the tie with an RBI single to put them ahead 2-1. Morris singled to load the bases, then Simpson drew a walk to bring in a run and redshirt junior Jake Hollins (Orchard Park, N.Y.) brought in another with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-1. Crook put the hammer down with a two-run double then wreaked havoc on the bases, scoring from second on a throwing error by the pitcher, to make it 7-1.
 
Morris slammed the door in the bottom of the ninth, striking out the final two batters to cap off the victory. In his third complete game of the year, Morris struck out a season-high eight batters, scattered seven hits and two walks to limit Queens to just one run. On offense, Simpson reached base three times and Crook recorded a team-high two hits and two RBI.
 
D'Youville improves to 6-6 in the ECC and 12-26 overall with the win. They will travel to Erie, Pa. for a non-conference matchup with Gannon University on Tuesday.