JOLIET, Ill. -- Jake Merda recorded a RBI fielder's choice in the first inning and Hayden Host knocked in two more runs via a single in the eighth, but that was all of the run production on the day for the University of St. Francis baseball team, which dropped a 9-3 decision to NCAA Division II Roosevelt University on Wednesday afternoon.

Roosevelt coasted to the win by scoring five runs in the first five innings before tacking on four more runs in the sixth frame.  Four different Laker players recorded RBIs, including Jayden Hoh, who went 2-for-3 with two walks and four runs batted in.

Ethan Fleming recorded two of USF's nine hits in the contest.  St. Francis' other hits came off the bats of seven additional Saints, including doubles from Nate Maliska, Ryan Louthan and Dylan Scafuri.

Nine USF pitchers combined their efforts in the loss with none seeing more than one inning of work.  Anthony Panzella, who started the game, was one of five pitchers to toss a scoreless frame while Michael Leonard and Cody Nold were the lone Saints to face the minimum number of batters in their respective inning of work.  The nine hurlers combined to allow seven free passes (six walks, one hit batsmen) in the contest.

Roosevelt improved to 1-0 with the victory, while the Saints fell to 1-4.

Up Next
The Saints will have two days of rest before taking the field again when they travel to Pulaski, Tenn. to take on University of Tennessee Southern as part of a two-day road trip.  The game will take place at 12 pm CST at Bobby Walker Field.

You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.