The Misericordia University baseball team clinched a Freedom Conference post-season berth after defeating King's, 13-6, Friday at King's.

Slanovec went 3-4 with four RBI and two runs while Joe Tagliarini went 2-3 with two RBI and a run and Pat Clark pitched 2.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.

In the top of the first inning, Kenny Durling had an infield single with two outs and advanced to second on a failed pickoff move.  Slanovec hit a shot to left field to drive in Durling and take an early 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, the Monarchs were threatening with a runner on third with one out.  Evan Robaczewski forced two groundouts to escape the inning unscathed.  Slanovec helped Robaczewski when a low line drive was hit to right field, but he made a diving catch to spoil what would have been a base hit.

Nate Hamlin led off the top of the fourth inning with an infield hit to the shortstop.  He then scored when King's catcher overthrew the first baseman's head on a pickoff attempt.  With two outs and Chris Tuttle on second, Andrew Tressa singled to left field to plate Tuttle.  Will Minderjahn then ripped a single through the middle of the infield to plate Tressa and take a 4-0 lead after four.

The Monarchs responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning and three more in the bottom of the fifth to make it 5-4 after five innings of play. 

After a pair of hits and a walk loaded the bases in the top of the sixth, Slanovec gapped a triple to left center to clear the bases and then score on a throwing error by the short stop.  MU then had an 8-5 lead after the sixth.

In the top of the eighth with Slanovec on second and Bryce Frankenfield on first, a wild pitch and a throwing error by the catcher scored Slanovec and put Frankenfield on third.  Nate Hamlin then singled up the middle to plate Frankenfield to take a 10-6 lead.

With runners on first and second with no outs in the top of the ninth, Joe Tagliarini singled to left field to score both runners.  Tagliarini advanced to third on a fielder's choice and a wild pitch, and eventually scored on another fielder's choice to cap off the scoring at 13-6.

Evan Robaczewski earned the win (9-0) and surpassed MU's single season wins mark.  Pat Clark pitched 2.1 scoreless innings allowing only a walk in eight batters faced.

The Cougars are now 27-6 (13-3) and stay atop the Freedom Conference.  They will continue the series with King's with a doubleheader at Swoyersville, Saturday at 12:00.