(Posted March 25, 2006)

Widener 3, Juniata 2
Widener 3, Juniata 2 (8 innings)

CHESTER, Pa. ? The Juniata College baseball team found itself on the short end of a pair of tight pitcher?s duels as the Eagles suffered two 3-2 losses to Widener University in Commonwealth Conference action in Chester Saturday afternoon. Juniata is now 11-6-1 on the season and 6-2-1 in conference play, while Widener improved to 14-2-1 overall and 5-0-1 in the Commonwealth.

Widener earned the wins in both games in its final at-bat breaking 2-2 ties with single runs in each game. Juniata got a strong pitching performance from Cody Zong (Lewistown/McVeytown) in game one and from Andrew Snyder (Punxsutawney/Punxsutawney) in game two but were limited to just seven total hits over the two games.

In game one Juniata overcame an early two-run deficit only to see Widener put the winning run on the board late in the game. The Pioneers jumped to a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first and then got an RBI single from Brian Campbell in the third to take a 2-0 edge.

Juniata countered with runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Jesse Leonard (Shade/Johnstown) delivered an RBI double in the fourth to cut into the lead. David Saintz (Titusville/Titusville) then delivered a solo home run to tie the game in the fifth.

Widener then plated the winning run in the sixth as a sacrifice fly from Zak Atiram pushed the lead to 3-2.

Juniata put the tying run on to start the bottom of the seventh, but pinch-runner Jason Enoch (Hempfield/Landisville) was caught stealing to end the threat.

Zong went all six innings for Juniata, allowing just three runs, two earned, while scattering six hits and striking out five. Bill Davis earned the win for Widener as he surrendered two runs on four hits. Tom Pletcher pitched the seventh to earn the save.

In game two, Widener broke a 2-2 tie with a run in the bottom of the eighth. With two out, Matt Fischer tripled and then scored the winning run on an infield error from the Eagles.

The rally wasted a strong effort from Snyder who went 7 2-3 innings, allowing just two earned runs on six hits, while fanning six. Brian Campbell earned the complete-game win for the Pioneers as he allowed just three hits and one earned run in the game. He struck out 10 Eagles hitters.

Juniata led early in game two, scoring both of its runs in the top of the second inning. Walt Goedkoop (Manheim Township/Lancaster) led-off the inning with a single and then scored on a Leonard double. Leonard would then come in to score on a Widener infield error to make the score 2-0.

Widener finally broke through against Snyder in the bottom of the fifth inning. An RBI single from Colin McHale and a fielder?s choice knotted the game at two.

Three Juniata players finished with one hit in the game, while Widener had six players finish with one hit.

Juniata returns to action on Tuesday with a game against nationally-ranked Alvernia College.

###

Our readers respond...

Be the first to provide a response.

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