BETHLEHEM, Pa.- Derek Gehr carried a no-hitter through five and 1/3 innings, as he allowed just one hit in seven innings in a commanding 11-0, eight-inning win to conclude the weekend series at Moravian.
Gehr finished his line with seven innings pitched, one hit, five strikeouts, and three walks, while Jason Waguespack retired the side in order in the bottom of the eighth.
The Juniata offense had its best performance of the weekend as they totaled 11 runs on 13 hits.
Charlie Bakken hit his first career home run, going 1-for-4 with three RBIs and a walk. Michael Warren had a four-hit day, all singles, with three RBIs, while Zach Johnston was a home run shy of the cycle, going 3-for-4 with a double and triple, one RBI, four runs scored, and a walk. Joey Woodrow was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and one walk.
Neither side got into scoring position in the first inning, while Juniata got on the board in the second inning. Woodrow walked aboard with one out, then Bakken homered down the right file line for a 2-0 lead.
Dakotah Snyder doubled with one out in the third inning, and then, with two outs, Johnston doubled to right-center field to score Snyder. A Warren single up the middle scored Johnston one at-bat later.
Gehr allowed two walks across the first four innings, primarily getting out early by inducing flyouts. He struck out two batters in the fourth inning.
The Eagles increased their lead to 6 with a pair of runs in the sixth. Corey Daniels walked to start, Johnston singled, and Warren bunt singled aboard to load the bases with one out.
Moravian went to their bullpen, which conceded two of the inherited runners. Woodrow reached on an infield single at first base, and then a wild pitch scored another runner before two strikeouts ended the frame.
Moravian got a runner into scoring position in the fifth following an infield error, then a steal of second base with two outs. A flyout to shallow left field left a zero in the run column.
Gehr struck out the first batter looking in the sixth inning, although the no-hitter was broken on an infield single hit to Gehr. Jace Irvin denied an attempted steal of second for two outs, and then Gehr struck out his third batter.
The Eagles added one run in the seventh inning, started by Johnston's one-out triple to the right-center gap. Warren then singled up the middle to score one.
Gehr ended his efficient day by striking out his last batter, stranding a pair of runners following an inning-opening walk and a two-out infield error.
A four-run seventh inning surpassed the ten-run rule that goes into effect in the seventh inning. Matthew Quigley and Snyder started the rally with walks; then Daniels singled to load the bases. A balk scored one run while Johnston reloaded the bases on another walk. Warren yet again singled up the middle to score one, while the Eagles took advantage of an infield error to score one. A one-out fielder's choice marked the fourth run of the inning.
Waguespack shut down the Greyhounds with a popout, strikeout, and flyout, as Juniata utilized the new Landmark Conference tn-run rule to earn a win for the first time.
Conference action continues on Tuesday at 3:00 pm as Juniata travels to Lycoming.
