(Posted March 10, 2006)

Juniata 18, Aurora 6
Aurora 15, Juniata 12

PHOENIX, Ariz. ? The Juniata College baseball team got another pair of stellar offenses performances but it was enough to just earn a doubleheader split against nationally-ranked Aurora College Friday in Phoenix, Ariz. With a strong wind blowing out, the Eagles piled up 30 runs on the day, winning the first contest 18-6 and then dropping game two 15-12. The loss was the first of the trip for the Eagles who now hold an overall record of 8-4.

The Eagles got started quickly in game one putting eight runs on the board in the first inning. Walt Goedkoop (Manheim Township/Lancaster) belted a two-run homer in the inning to provide the most damage.

Juniata held that lead the remainder of the way as starter Cody Zong (Lewistown/McVeytown) allowed four earned runs over five innings and striking out four to earn the victory.

Aurora did steadily pull its way back into the game getting runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings to cut into the Juniata lead. The Eagles then put the game away in the sixth when a David Saintz (Titusville/Titusville) grand slam highlighted a six-run inning.

Saintz finished 4-for-5 in the game with six RBI. Goedkoop and Dan Kauffman (Penn Manor/Conestoga) each had two-run home runs in the game, while Troy Beaver (Bellwood-Antis/Bellwood) scored four runs.

In game two, it was big innings from Aurora that made the difference as Juniata suffered its fourth loss of the season. After a three-run homer from Goedkoop put Juniata in front 3-0 in the top of the first, Aurora pushed across eight runs in the bottom of the inning to take an 8-3 edge. Juniata starter Drew Michanowicz (Bishop Guilfoyle/Altoona) was knocked from the game in the first as Aurora scored its eight runs.

Aurora continued to build on its lead, piling up 15 runs through the first five innings. The Eagles? biggest comeback effort came in the sixth when a five-run inning pulled the Blue and Gold to within three runs at 15-12, but neither team would score from that point on. Saintz and Kauffman hit back-to-back homers in the inning for the Eagles.

Tyler Brown (Southern Huntingdon/Orbisonia) was the most effective hurler on the day for Juniata as he pitched the final three innings without allowing run.

Goedkoop was 2-for-4 in the second game with four RBI, while Beaver finished 3-for-5 with three runs scored.

Juniata will wrap up play in Phoenix on Saturday as the Eagles take on Muhlenberg.

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