Juniata baseball closes out Moravian series with 5-1 loss

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Juniata College wrapped up its three-game Landmark Conference baseball series against defending champion Moravian College with a 5-1 loss to the Greyhounds, Sunday afternoon at Gillespie Field.

Juniata (6-7, 0-3 Landmark) allowed two Moravian runs in the bottom of the second before getting one run back in the top of the third.

Ben Mersky (Hershey, Pa./Hershey) reached on a one-out fielding error by Moravian's second baseman, and scored on Joe Sforza's (Pittstown, N.J./Immaculata) double into right center field. Johnny Martinez (Mount Union, Pa./Mount Union) drew a walk to put runners on first and second, but Cole Walters (Mount Union, Pa./Mount Union) flied out to left field and the Greyhounds got out of the jam. 

Moravian (10-4, 3-0 Landmark) tacked on two runs in the fifth to stretch their lead to 4-1. Kevin O'Keefe's RBI double down the left field line scored Jason Huber, who reached on a walk. O'Keefe crossed later in the frame on Mike Zubia's bunt single toward third. 

The Greyhounds added a single run in the eighth on a bases loaded walk. 

Ryan Edley (Hershey, Pa./Hershey) went 2-for-4 to lead Juniata at the plate, while Mersky, Sforza, and Chase Dykstra (Somerset, Pa./Somerset Area) all had one hit for the Eagles.

Juniata starter Matt Regan (Downingtown, Pa./Devon Prep) fanned nine Moravian batters against just four walks, but allowed five earned runs on seven hits and was charged with the loss. Zachary Sauble (Williamsport, Md./Williamsport) and Josh Green (Hagerstown, Pa./Clear Springs) both came in to work part of the eighth inning.

Moravian starter Jon Harasin finished with 10 strikeouts and scattered five hits to earn the win. 

Juniata retuns to action on Tuesday, Mar. 22, when the Eagles travel to Gettysburg, Pa., to face Gettysburg College. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.