(Posted March 6, 2005)

Juniata 6, Moravian 3
Juniata 7, Moravian 4

Chandler, Ariz. ? The Juniata College baseball team ended its 2004 conference schedule by earning a victory over Moravian College in the championship game of the Commonwealth Conference postseason. On Sunday the Eagles began its 2005 Commonwealth schedule on a similar note as the Eagles swept a doubleheader with Moravian in Chandler, Ariz. Juniata claimed game one by a 6-3 score, and then rallied to post a 7-4 win in game two. Juniata improved to 3-1 overall with the wins, while the games were the season openers for Moravian.

Juniata jumped on the board early in game one, putting two runs on the board in the top of the first as David Saintz scored on a throwing error, then an RBI double from Walt Goedkoop (Manheim Township/Lancaster) plated Jason Enoch (Hempfield/Landisville). Juniata would maintain that lead as senior pitcher Jayme Fye (Philipsburg/Philipsburg-Osceola) tossed five and two-thirds innings allowing just three runs on four hits while striking out four. The Eagles added three more runs in the top of the fourth when Dan Kauffman (Penn Manor/Conestoga) drove in three runs with a bases-loaded double.

After Moravian scored one run in the fifth, the Greyhounds then scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull within three. Sophomore Jeff Hayes (Indian Valley/Lewistown) then came on in relief of Fye and pitched the final inning and a third to earn a save. Juniata added its seventh run in the top of the seventh when Darren Hake (Red Lion/Red Lion) drew a lead-off walk, then came home on a double by Troy Beaver (Bellwood-Antis/Bellwood).

In the second game, the seventh inning proved to be decisive. After a Moravian sacrifice fly tied the game at two in the top of the seventh, Juniata answered with five runs in the top of the seventh. Saintz delivered the big blow as he hammered an inside the park grand slam to put Juniata in front 6-2. Kauffman followed with a solo home run to extend the lead to 7-2.

The Greyhounds fought back in the bottom of the inning, scoring a pair of runs to pull within three. Paul Dunklebarger (State College/State College) then came out of the bullpen to record the final two outs and earn the first save of his career. Hayes recorded the final out in the bottom of the sixth and got the first out of the seventh to pick up his second win of the season.

Juniata starter Cody Zong (Lewistown/Lewistown) pitched five and a third solid innings for the Eagles, as he allowed two runs on four hits while recording three strikeouts.

Juniata took the early lead on as a Zach Sternberg (McCaskey/Lancaster) single drove home Russell in the top of the fourth. Enoch added the second run in the sixth as he came home on a single from Russell.

Russell finished with five hits on the day, while Kauffman added three hits and four RBI in the two games.

Juniata will return to action on Monday when the Eagles take on Roger Williams. The Eagles will then complete the three-game series with Moravian with a full nine-inning game. The contest is a makeup date from Saturday?s rainout.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.