(Posted April 27, 2004)

Juniata 3, Albright 2

Reading, Pa. ? David Saintz (Titusville/Titusville) delivered an RBI double in the top of the seventh to break a 2-2 tie and lead the Juniata College baseball team to a 3-2 victory over Commonwealth Conference foe Albright in Reading Tuesday afternoon. Juniata improved its record to 17-13 overall and 10-6 in conference action. Albright dropped to 13-15 overall and 8-7 in conference.

After Albright tied the game in the bottom of the sixth, Juniata answered with a run in the top of the seventh. Kodi Hockenberry (Red Land/Lewisberry) singled with two outs then stole second. Saintz followed with a double to drive in his second run of the game and put Juniata on top 3-2.

The three runs were enough for Juniata hurler Cody Zong (Lewistown/McVeytown) who put together one of his finest starts of the season. Zong allowed two runs in eight innings, limiting Albright to six hits and striking out a career-high eight batters.

Eric Hatten (Dubois/Dubois) pitched a perfect ninth inning to capture his third-straight save.

Albright took an early lead with a single run in the bottom of the second. Dan Rist drilled a solo home run to put the home team on top.

The Eagles broke through against Lion starter Jeremy Kondisko in the fourth as Saintz led off the inning with a single and scored an unearned run after a pair of errors. Juniata added another run in the fifth as Will Russell (Tyrone Area/Tyrone) doubled, and was driven in with a two-out single from Saintz.

Albright tied the game in the sixth as Pat Bergmaier walked and stole a base, then scored on a single by Dave Ciccone.

Juniata finished with seven hits in the game as Kondisko was charged with his second loss of the season.

Saintz finished 3-for-5 in the game with two RBI and a run scored. Russell and Hockenberry were both 1-for-4 with a run scored. Jesse Leonard (Shade/Johnstown) and Troy Beaver (Bellwood-Antis/Bellwood) had the other two hits in the game for Juniata.

Rist was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for Albright.

Juniata and Albright will be back in action on Wednesday when they play a doubleheader in Huntingdon.

###

Our readers respond...

Be the first to provide a response.

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