SELINSGROVE, PA – The Susquehanna University baseball team is on the verge of surpassing 10,000 runs scored in the program's 105-season history.

Entering Friday's game against Messiah College, the Crusaders have crossed home plate 9,988 times in 1,886 games, an average of 5.3 runs per game.

The first run was scored in the program's first intercollegiate game, a 16-8 loss to what is now Albright College in 1897.

Susquehanna's single-season record for runs is 272, set in 33 games during the 1988 season. The highest average of runs per game was established in the 1901 season when the Crusaders scored 188 runs in 17 games for an average of 11.06 per contest.

Mike Gerhart holds the school record for most runs scored in a career with 114 from 1992 through 1995, while Jeff Cole is the single-season record holder with 50 runs scored in the 1988 season.

The school record for runs scored in a game is 28, set in 1900 against what is now Albright College and matched in 1997 against College Misericordia.

Through 23 games this season, the Crusaders have scored 119 runs (5.17 per game) led by 25 runs scored by sophomore outfielder Matt Ruane.

Following Friday's home game against Messiah, the Crusaders travel to play a doubleheader against the Falcons on Saturday followed by a non-conference doubleheader at King's on Sunday.