A monster third inning allowed the Misericordia University baseball team to cruise past Moravian 22-4, Wednesday at Anderson Field.

Senior Nate Newman launched a three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth that scored Nate Hamlin and Andrew Tressa. It was his 21st career home run, tying the Misericordia record held by Harold Knebel. Newman finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs.

Freshman Kenny Durling was 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs, while Bubba Jasinski was also 3-for-4 and scored three times. Senior Jamie Philippi was a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs scored.

Also contributing from the plate were Hamlin (2-for-5, 2 RBIs), Tressa (1-for-2, 2 RBIs), senior Scott Huddle and freshman Mike Impellittiere (both 2-for-2).

In the bottom of the third, Durling's three-run homer with no outs scored Tressa and Newman. Singles from Jasinski, Philippi and Jeff Slanovec (2-for-4 on the day) then made it five straight hits for MU. Later, Hamlin doubled in Slanovec and Brian Verdelli.

In total, nine consecutive Cougars reached base at one point in the inning. By the time it was over, 14 players batted, producing nine hits and 11 runs. Durling, Jasinski and Philippi each recorded two hits in the inning and MU led 12-2.

Verdelli was just 1-for-6 from the plate but he had a game-high six RBIs, four of which came from one swing of the bat. The freshman smashed a grand slam to left field in the eighth, bringing home Huddle, Impellittiere and Zach Myers.

Senior Andrew Yasinski improved to 4-1 on the mound in his final career start, allowing two earned runs in 6-1/3 innings of work. Will Minderjahn threw a scoreless ninth inning to finish off the win.

The Cougars improve to 19-17 and will conclude their 2010 season with a three-game series against Eastern this weekend. A sweep would allow a young MU team to improve on its 22-18 mark in 2009.