Baseball Outlasts Widener In 2007 Finale
(Posted April 29, 2007)
READING, Pa. - The Juniata College baseball team ended its 2007 season on a high note Sunday afternoon as the Eagles picked up a 3-2 win over Widener University in its season finale. With the win, Juniata (17-17-1, 10-10-1 Commonwealth) finishes with at least a .500 record for the fifth-consecutive season. Juniata rallied from an early deficit and then held off a late Widener (23-13, 12-8 Commonwealth) rally to claim the victory. After Widener opened the scoring with an RBI single from Mike Villari in the bottom of the third, Juniata answered back with a run in the top of the fourth. One day after establishing a new Juniata record for home runs in a career Dan Kauffman (Penn Manor/Conestoga) led off the fourth with a solo shot that tied the game at one. It was the 29th home run of his career. The Eagles added another run in the fifth as Andrew Kriss (John Carroll/Forest Hill, Md.) doubled home Jordan Reitz (Waynesboro/Waynesboro) to give Juniata a lead. Kriss added to Juniata\'s lead with a sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh that gave the Blue and Gold a 3-1 cushion. Eagles\' starter Jeff Hayes (Indian Valley/Lewistown) kept the Pride at bay for five innings as he allowed just four hits and one run. Widener rallied against the Juniata bullpen, as Matt Fischer tripled home a run in the eighth to cut the lead to one. Brian Markovich (Northern Cambria/Northern Cambria) came on to get the final out of the inning. Jason Enoch (Hempfield/Lancaster) then entered and pitched a perfect ninth inning to capture his first save of the year. Anthony Trutt (Indian Valley/Lewistown) had three hits in the game for Juniata as the Eagles knocked out nine hits total. Tristian Harner was charged with the loss for Widener as he allowed two runs on six hits over five innings. Tom Fien was 2-for-4 to pace the Widener attack on the day. Sunday\'s game was Juniata\'s last contest as a member of the Commonwealth Conference as the Eagles will begin play in the Landmark Conference next season. The Eagles will return a veteran group next year as they graduate just three players from this year\'s roster. ###
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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.