The Suffolk University Baseball team dropped their 2014 season opener by a 9-1 score to Gwynedd Mercy University on Friday afternoon.

Senior Jake Cintolo (Wrentham, Mass.) knocked in Suffolk's lone run with a sacrifice fly in the third inning but six Rams' pitchers would allow nine earned runs on 12 hits and walk seven in the loss.

Junior Matt Rakus (Sewell, N.J.) was strong on the mound for the Griffins as they improve to 5-4 on the season. Rakus went eight innings surrending six hits while punching out six hitters.

Junior Josh Desai (Shrewsbury, Mass.) got the opening day start for Suffolk. He allowed four runs on seven hits through five innings. Desai also struck out six hitters on the day.

Sophomore Mike Marchitto (Voorhees, N.J.) opened the scoring with a two-run double to left center in the first as he drove in three on the day for the Griffings.

Freshman Frank Saviski (Aston, Pa.) also finished the day with three RBI. Saviski and junior Eric Heaney (Ambler, Pa.) connected on back to back RBI singles in the forth, before his second base hit of the afternoon broke the game open in the eighth scoring a pair.

Suffolk had a golden opportunity squandered in the home half of the fourth inning. Senior Mike Muse (Milton, Mass.) led the inning off with a base hit up the middle, before sophomore Jon Lapolla (Providence, R.I.) would reach on an infield error. Senior James McConville (Medford, Mass.) singled to left center to load the bases with nobody out. Rakus would record back to back strikeouts before escaping the jam with a flyball to center as Suffolk was unable to get a run across.

Suffolk will be back in action tomorrow afternoon as they play a doubleheader with Roger Williams University. First pitch is scheduled at noon at Pat Thomas Stadium as part of the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.