Marywood University rallied from a three-run, fifth-inning deficit to upset top-seeded Centenary University, 4-3, in the opening game of the Atlantic East Conference baseball playoffs Thursday.

The victory marks the first playoff win in program history for the Pacers.

Centenary plated single runs in the first, third and fourth innings to build a 3-0 advantage.

Marywood, the No. 4 seed, began its comeback in the top of the fifth. Nick Ruiz singled and scored on an RBI single from Cam Bott. Evan Bruder followed with a double before Adam Ginsberg drove home Bott with a groundout to trim the deficit to 3-2.

The Pacers tied the game in the sixth inning when AJ Kuzior doubled to lead off the frame and scored on Mike Biskup’s RBI single.

Marywood took its first lead in the seventh. Ginsberg worked a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Joel Ayers, and scored on Kuzior’s RBI single to make it 4-3.

The Pacers’ bullpen took over from there.

Brett Kugler earned the win after escaping a bases-loaded situation in the sixth inning with a strikeout. Aidan Dolan and Austin Bausman each tossed scoreless innings before Isaac Galarza closed the door in the ninth to secure his second save of the season.

Noah Trager started for Marywood and worked 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on 11 hits before turning the game over to the bullpen.

Marywood (27-15) will face the winner of the No. 3 Immaculata and No. 2 Marymount matchup Friday at 12:30 p.m.

Lackawanna 7, Raritan Valley 3: Brant Barilaro pitched a complete game, scattering eight hits with six strikeouts as Lackawanna won to stay alive in the Region XIX Division II baseball tournament Thursday at Mercer County Park.

Sean Moore had two hits and three RBIs while Danny Stickney had an RBI single and Hunter Austra had an RBI double.

The Falcons (21-27-1) will face Sussex County CC in an elimination game Friday at 10 a.m. at Mercer County Community College. The winner will meet host Mercer in the championship final at 2 p.m. and must win to force a deciding game, which would be played Saturday at 11 a.m.

Sussex CC 7, Lackawanna 6: The Falcons fell behind, 6-1, in the third inning and despite rallying to get within one run, dropped the opener of the Region XIX Division II playoffs Thursday.

Mark Zuppo had four hits, including two doubles, and four RBIS for the Falcons, while Stickney and Kolton Haifley each had two hits.