(Posted May 7, 2010)

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - - Moravian College scored at least one run through the first four innings, cruising to a 13-0 victory in game one of the Landmark Conference baseball tournament, sending the Juniata College baseball team to the consolation bracket on day one, in Bethlehem, Pa.

Starting pitcher Tyler Clifford (Homer City, Pa./Homer Center) got out of a first inning jam only giving up one run, but the Greyhounds tacked on four runs in the second, two in the third and five in the fifth to take a 12-0 lead through the fifth.

With the bases loaded and only one out, Clifford induced a sacrifice fly to right field, giving up a run, but got Jake Schweitzer to pop out to the shortstop, ending the threat.

Then the Eagles tried to retaliate in the top of the second, get men on first and third with only one out. But Moravian starter, Chris Morrison, got Evan Pappas (Potomac, Md./Thomas Sprigg Wootten) to foul out, and struck out Tom Eck (Columbia, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) on three straight sliders.

But the Greyhounds added four runs in the second, all with two outs in the inning. With a runner on third and two outs, Jason Huber started the scoring with a double to left field. Following a walk, Dave Zubia singled through the right side, scoring Huber. Another walk loaded the bases, still with two outs in the inning. Then Jacob Millen broke it open with a two run single up the middle.

After the Eagles went down quietly in the third, Moravian (24-13 overall) added two more runs in the third. But it was the fourth inning that really broke the game wide open.

A four pitch, leadoff walk to Kevin O'Keefe brought Millen to the plate, and promptly took the first pitch and sent it over the right field wall for the two run homerun. Two walks, three hits later, with a pitching change sandwiched in the middle, saw the score balloon to 12-0, with Morrison sailing on the mound for the Greyhounds.

Juniata (13-24 overall) could only manage four hits off Morrison on the day, two of which came off the bat of Andrew Kriss (Forest Hill, Md./John Carroll). Kriss finished 2 for 4, while Chase Dykstra (Somerset, Pa./Somerset Area) and Johnny Martinez (Mt. Union, Pa./Mt. Union) added the other two singles.

Morrison finished his complete game shutout, striking out eight Eagles. Clifford threw three and a third before handing the ball over to Josh Green (Hagerstown, Pa./Clear Springs) who finished the remaining four and two thirds, giving up one earned run while striking out two batters.

The Eagles will fight for their playoffs lives in an elimination game Friday afternoon, starting at 4:00 p.m. They will play the loser of the #2 Catholic University/#3 Susquehanna University matchup, which started at 12:30 p.m.

Click here to visit the official Landmark Conference Tournament website.

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