HUNTINGDON, PA. – Juniata College baseball put together a six-run and eight-run fifth and sixth innings to launch past visiting Susquehanna University 20-9, Sunday afternoon in the teams' final Landmark Conference contest of the 2012 season in Huntingdon, Pa.
Juniata (13-24, 4-14 Landmark) was trailing 7-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth, but a leadoff sophomore Brad Medellin (Lewisberry, Pa./Red Land) walk and a Susquehanna (15-24, 4-14 Landmark) fielding error on a Russell Gray (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) grounder proved to be the spark the Eagles needed, because Joe Sforza (Pittstown, N.J./Immaculata) doubled into left center to score Medellin just one batter later. The run kicked-off a six-run rally that saw four Juniata hits, two Crusader miscues, and three walks as the Eagles batted around the line-up.
The Eagles matched their season high 17 hits in the game, with Heath leading the way with a flawless 4-of-4 effort at the plate and scoring on four occasions. Mersky and Medellin each racked up three hits, with Medellin getting two doubles and Mersky notching one in the sixth inning. Mersky drove in a total four runs and Dykstra plated three.
On the mound, Juniata threw its senior heat in William Hoffman (Phoenix, Md./Dulaney), Nate Burkey (Alexandria, Pa./Juniata Valley) and Justin Miller (Bellwood, Pa./Bellwoowd-Antis). Hoffman got the start and threw 4.2 innings and struck out three batters. Burkey, who got the win, also fanned three Susquehanna batters in his 3.1 innings of work. Miller closed out the game in the ninth inning and didn't allow a single Crusader run to score.
"I think it was great way to send off the seniors, they have put in a lot o hard work over the years, and it was terrific to see the way we battled back and put together a good game. It's always nice to beat a quality team like Susquehanna, especially on a day like today," said Head Coach Jesse Leonard.
The 20-9 victory marks the end of Juniata's 2012 season. The Eagles finished the season with a 13-24 overall record and went 4-14 in the Landmark Conference.
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