After dropping a tough decision in a suspended game to start the day, the Eastern University baseball team rallied to take an important conference game with an 11-2 win over Gwynedd-Mercy College. Brian Miller allowed just six hits as he went the distance for his second win of the year.

The day began with the visiting Griffins taking the middle game of the series. That game, which was suspended at 10-10 in the ninth inning last night, finished with Gwynedd-Mercy plating two runs in the top of the inning and then retiring the Eagles in order to end the game.

Because of the reversals that happened in scheduling, the second game of the day began with the Eagles batting first. The Eastern hitters jumped out to a quick start when Andrew Reynolds singled and scored on Mike Santello's team-best eighth double of the year. The Eastern second baseman reached base four of his six plate appearances with a  pair of RBI on the day. Santello advanced to third on the throw home and then scored easily when the other half of his double-play combination, Davis Murray knocked him home with a single.

The Griffins connected on a pair of extra-base hits in the bottom of the inning, but could only score once. The Eagles took that run right back in the top of the second after two runners reached base and Andrew Reynolds delivered his first of three sacrifice bunts on the day to move runners to second and third with one out. The strategy worked as the Eagles picked up a run on a Santello ground-out.

As Miller found his rhythm on the mound, the Eastern bats broke the game open with five runs in the bottom of the third. The Eagles took advantage of a pair of miscues in the inning to increase the damage, but Kurt Kebaugh delivered an RBI double to get the inning going. 

The Eagles picked up single runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings to stretch their lead.Miller received some help from his fielders with double plays in the eighth and ninth innings to keep any potential Griffin rallies at bay.

Murray picked up three RBI on the day to lift his season total to 23. Coach Curley was pleased with the pitching effort and the work to get runners over and home with a lead. The win lifts the Eagles to 5-4 in the PAC with nine league games to play.   

The Eagles return to action tomorrow afternoon with a home game against Messiah College. That game is scheduled for a 3:00 pm start. 

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