Blank Drives In Five as Juniata Outlasts Moravian in 13-Inning Landmark Thriller

Auburndale, Fla. – Juniata baseball outlasted Moravian in a 13-inning battle Saturday afternoon at the RussMatt Invitational, earning an 8-7 Landmark Conference victory at Lake Myrtle Main Field.

The Eagles rallied multiple times throughout the afternoon before Landon Blank drove in the game-winning run in the 13th inning.

Moravian struck early, scoring three runs in the first inning and another in the second to take a 4-0 lead. 

Juniata began to chip away in the fourth inning. Landon Blank lifted a sacrifice fly to center that scored Charlie Bakken, and Matthew Quigley followed with an RBI groundout to trim the deficit to 4-2.

The Eagles evened the game in the sixth when Ricky Scott lined a single up the middle to score Jacob Despot and Blank, tying the contest at 4-4.

Juniata took its first lead in the seventh as Blank singled to center to bring home Bakken, but Moravian answered in the bottom half on an RBI single from Rodriguez to make it 5-5.

Moravian moved back in front in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Vozzo. Juniata responded in the ninth when Blank ripped a double down the right-field line, driving in Ty Vickers and Nate Epstein to give the Eagles a 7-6 lead.

The Greyhounds forced extra innings in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI single from Chris Whalen to tie the game at 7-7.

After three scoreless extra innings, Juniata broke through in the 13th when Blank lifted a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Jace Irvin with the go-ahead run.

Moravian was unable to answer in the bottom half as Connor Blough closed out the game to secure the win.

Blank led the Eagles offensively, finishing 3-for-5 with a double and five RBIs. Charlie Bakken added two hits and two runs scored, while Zach Johnston and Jacob Despot each collected two hits.

On the mound, Connor Rohm started and allowed four runs over six innings with five strikeouts. Krieg Pierce, Robbie Pliszka, and Tim Coleman combined to cover the middle innings before Blough earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief.

Juniata recorded 15 hits in the victory while turning three double plays defensively.

The Eagles improve to 5-5 overall and 1-2 in Landmark Conference play with the win.