AUBURNDALE, Fla. – The Juniata College baseball team came from behind to defeat Medaille College 3-2 Monday afternoon down at the RussMatt Invitational.  Senior Andrew Groninger (McAlisterville, Pa./East Juniata) pitched a complete game allowing six hits and striking out four of the 35 batters faced to earn his first win of the season.  Juniata improved to 2-7.

Junior Dan Gray (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) paced the offense with two hits and senior Cole Walters (Mt. Union, Pa./Mt. Union) scored two of the Eagles three runs. 

Down 2-1 in the top of the sixth, Walters lead off with a single.  Starter Jeff Benz got the next batter to ground out to third but then gave up a single and eventually loaded the bases.  With two outs, he walked in Walters to tie the game.  Righty Nate Labenski came in to relieve Benz and immediately gave up a single to senior Ben Mersky (Hersey, Pa./Hershey) that drove in the gamewinning run.

The Eagles defense stepped up and didn't allow Medaille to advance further than second for the remainder of the game.  Juniata continues its fun in the sun on Tuesday, March 12 when they take on Swarthmore in a doubleheader to close play at the Invite.  The doubleheader is scheduled with 9:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. start times.

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