MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.- The Albertus Magnus College baseball team opened up its 2024 campaign under new head coach Ian Ratchford with a convincing 12-4 win over King's College (Pa.) on Saturday at Grand Park.

Eric Galarza led the offensive charge for the Falcons going 3-for-5 with a home run and three runs. Adriel Espada went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.

Albert Molina pitched five efficient innings giving up just one earned run on two hits and three walks while striking out five and earning his first win.

THE BASICS

FINAL: Albertus Magnus 12 | King's College 4

RECORDS: Albertus Magnus (1-0) | King's College (3-5)

BOX

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The two teams traded runs in the first inning as Tyler DeSanty hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Espada in the first.
• Molina would shut down the Monarchs the next four innings allowing just two runners on the base during the time. He would get the offensive support as the Falcons scored two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings, that included three sacrifice flies by Espada, Anthony Abate and Bobby Arent to make it a 5-1 game after the fifth.
• After the Falcons tacked on a run in the sixth, Galarza sent a one out solo homer deep to right to make it a 7-1 game in the top of the seventh.
• Elijah Spataj drove in a run with a double in the eighth and the Falcons added four insurance runs in the top of the ninth, including an RBI single by Vance Ward.
• Tyler Czeremcha came in relief and struck out five in 2.1 innings. Tyler Harger closed out the game allowing just one baserunner and striking out one in 1.2 innings.

ON THE HILL

Albertus

• Albert Molina (W, 1-0) 5 IP | 1 Run | 1 ER | 2 Hits | 3 BB | 5 K
• Tyler Czeremcha 2.1 IP | 3 Runs | 3 ER | 2 Hits | 3 BB | 5 K
• Tyler Harger 1.2 IP | 0 R | 0 ER | 1 Hits | 0 BB | 1 K

RIC

• Zach Day 3 IP | 1 Run | 1 ER | 1 Hits | 3 BB | 5 K
• Ricky Hynick (L, 1-1) 1 IP | 4 R | 4 ER | 4 BB | 0 K
• Jeff Higgins 3.2 IP | 3 R | 2 ER | 1 BB | 1 K
• Frankie Desiderio 0.2 IP | 4 R | 4 ER | 3 BB | 0 K
• Justin Hoadley 0.2 IP | 0 R | 0 ER | 1 BB | 2K

AT THE PLATE

Albertus

Eric Galarza 3-for-5 | 3 Runs | 1 RBI | 1 HR

Adriel Espada 2-for-4 | 2 Runs | 2 RBI

Anthony Abate 2-for-3 | 1 RBI | 3 BB 

Kings (Pa.)

Brenden Kopec 2-for-4 | 2 RBI

NOTEWORTHY

• Galarza's home run was the first of his career.
• Molina's win was the first of his career.

UP NEXT

The Falcons will take on Plymouth State in a doubleheader in Myrtle Beach at noon and 3 p.m. on Sunday.