(Posted March 9, 2006)

Juniata 9, Concordia (Ill.) 6

PHOENIX, Ariz. ? The Juniata College baseball team continued to find ways to win during its spring break trip to Phoenix, Ariz. as the Eagles rode a strong bullpen performance and timely hitting to a 9-6 victory over Concordia College (Ill.). Juniata improved to 7-3 on the season and have yet to lose in Phoenix.

Juniata broke open a 5-5 game with a pair of runs in the fifth inning, and then added two insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh to seal the game.

That was enough for Jason Enoch (Hempfield/Landisville) who came on in relief for the Eagles in the top of the third, and allowed just one run over the final 6 2-3 innings while striking out six to earn the win.

Juniata?s offense got out of the gates quickly, pushing across five runs in the bottom of the second. After the first batter reached on an error, the Blue and Gold strung together five-straight hits to take the lead.

Concordia answered with five runs in the top of the third, tying the score and driving Juniata starter Paul Dunklebarger (State College/State College) from the game.

The Eagles then got the deciding runs in the fifth as RBI singles from Darren Hake (Red Lion/Red Lion) and Steven Wilk (Blairsville/Hollidaysburg) put the Eagles in front 7-5. Then in the seventh, a two-run double from Troy Beaver (Bellwood-Antis/Bellwood) extended the edge to 9-5. Concordia added a run in the eighth, but Enoch shut the door after that.

Beaver paced the offensive attack with three hits and three RBI. Wilk went 3-for-4 on the day, while Hake was 2-for-4 with three runs driven in. David Saintz (Titusville/Titusville) added two hits and two RBI as well for Juniata?s offense.

The Eagles continue play in Phoenix on Friday with a doubleheader against nationally-ranked Aurora.

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