(Posted March 24, 2006)

Juniata 6, Widener 6

CHESTER, Pa. ? The Juniata College baseball team remained unbeaten in Commonwealth Conference play in an unconventional way as the Eagles played to a 6-6 tie with Widener University in Chester with the game ending after nine innings due to darkness. Juniata is now 11-4-1 on the year and 6-0-1 in conference action. Widener is now 12-2-1 on the season and 3-0-1 in conference play.

After jumping to an early lead, Juniata was forced to rally to tie the score late in the contest. Errors plagued both teams in the contest as each squad committed four errors and surrendered three unearned runs.

The Eagles got on the board first with two runs in the top of the first. An RBI single from Dan Kauffman (Penn Manor/Conestoga) and a sacrifice fly from Will Russell (Tyrone/Tyrone) put the Eagles on top 2-0.

The Pioneers then matched Juniata?s total with a pair of runs in the third as a fielder?s choice and a throwing error brought tied the score at two.

The Eagles answered again with two runs in the fifth. Troy Beaver (Bellwood-Antis/Bellwood) brought home a run with a double and then scored on a Widener error.

Widener then took its first lead of the game as they struck for four runs off Juniata starter Jason Enoch (Hempfield/Landisville). Tom Fien brought home the first two runs with an RBI single up the middle with the next two runs scoring on an error and an infield groundout.


Those were the last runs Enoch allowed as he went eight innings, allowing six runs, three earned, on seven hits while striking out three. Jeff Hayes (Indian Valley/Belleville) pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Eagles then tied the game up with two runs in the top of the seventh. A sacrifice fly from Walt Goedkoop (Manheim Township/Lancaster) brought home Beaver with Juniata?s fifth run. An infield error then brought home the tying run which would be the final run of the contest.

Tristian Harner went 7 2-3 innings for the home team and allowed all six runs, three of them earned. Tom Pletcher kept Juniata off the scoreboard in the final 1 1-3 innings.

Beaver led Juniata?s offense with a pair of hits while also scoring a pair of runs. David Saintz (Titusville/Titusville) was 1-for-4 with one run scored.

Fien led all players with three hits in the game.

Juniata and Widener will complete its three-game series with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon.

###

Our readers respond...

Be the first to provide a response.

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