HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The University of Scranton baseball team (21-8, 12-6 Landmark) dropped an 8-7 heartbreaker to the Juniata College Eagles (10-20, 5-16 Landmark) in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Langdon-Goodale Field in Huntingdon.
Juniata scored three runs with two outs in the ninth to rally for the victory including a walk-off single from Connor Blough. Earlier in the inning, an RBI single brought home the first run and a throwing error allowed the tying run to score.
Senior lefty Jason Carpenter (Scranton, Pa./Scranton) was dealt the loss for the Royals after coming on in relief with two outs and allowing two hits while walking a pair.
Connor Krahulec struck out a pair in a scoreless frame to record the win for Juniata.
The Eagles got on the board first with a pair in the home half of the first inning, but Scranton quickly answered with a two-run single from senior Aidan Plick (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) in the top of the second.
In the top of the fourth inning, Plick reached on a fielder's choice and came around to score from first when freshman Jared Cassella (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) singled and Juniata RF Sebastian Tringali committed an error on the play.
Sophomore Vincent Napolitano (Merrick, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) added an RBI double in the fifth and freshman Jake Lopez (Oakland, N.J./Ramapo) struck with an RBI two-bagger of his own in the sixth that expanded the lead to 5-2.
Freshman righty Matt Holgado (West Chester, Pa./West Chester East) got the start for the Royals and gave up two runs on five hits to go along with a walk and a career-high nine strikeouts over five innings of work.
Juniata starter Derek Gehr allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits while walking three and fanning four in 5 1/3 IP.
A three-run sixth inning allowed Juniata to tie the game at five apiece for the time being.
However, Scranton would once again regain the lead an inning later with an RBI fielder's choice from Plick in the seventh and a sac fly off the bat of senior John Zarnowski (East Brunswick, N.J./St. Joseph's) that stretched the lead to 7-5. The Eagles then rallied with the three afore-mentioned runs in the ninth inning.
Senior Jack Heineman (Abington, Pa./LaSalle College) registered three hits as part of a 12-hit outburst for the Royals, while Cassella and Zarnowski added two hits apiece.
In relief, senior southpaw Matt Roda (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North) gave up just one run and struck out one over three strong innings.
Scranton will return home to host Ursinus in a non-conference matchup tomorrow at Weiss Field with first pitch slated for 5 p.m.
--ROYALS--
