(Posted March 28, 2005)

Huntingdon, PA - Juniata College junior pitcher Cody Zong (Lewistown/McVeytown) has been named the Commonwealth Conference pitcher of the week for his efforts on the diamond for the Eagles this past week. It marks the first time this season, and the second time in his career that he has earned a weekly honor from the conference.

Zong helped Juniata right the ship after a pair of lopsided losses this past week. The lefty tossed a complete-game four hitter to propel Juniata to a 4-1 victory over Elizabethtown College in the final game of the three-game series between the two teams. After Juniata surrendered 20 runs and 28 hits in the first two games of the series, Zong limited Elizabethtown to just one unearned run in seven innings of work to capture the victory. He fanned four Blue Jay hitters, and did not allow a runner to reach second base until the fifth inning. When the opponent put two runners on base in the bottom of the sixth inning with one out, Zong induced an inning-ending double play to end the inning and preserve the lead.

Zong has been the most consistent man in the Juniata pitching rotation through the team's first 20 games. After earning three victories in his sophomore season, he is already 3-0 in 2005 and is tied for the team lead in victories. He also leads the team's starting pitchers in earned run average as his effort against Elizabethtown lowered his ERA to 2.86 on the season. He ranks third on the team with 21 strikeouts, while opponents are hitting .190 against him in 29 1-3 innings of work. He has been even better in conference games where he has a record of 2-0 in three starts, with an ERA of 1.86. He has tossed a pair of complete games in conference contests and has allowed conference opponents to hit just .188 against him.

With Zong anchoring the pitching staff, Juniata is off to a 12-8 start in 2005. The Eagles are 6-3 in Commonwealth play to start the season, and currently sit in third place in the Commonwealth standings. The Eagles return to action on Tuesday with a non-conference doubleheader against Baptist Bible College.

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