DOVER, Del.--Eastern University Baseball earned its first win of the season on Monday, edging the Wesley College Wolverines 6-5.

The Eagles picked up a crucial insurance run in the top of the ninth when center fielder Andrew Check pounded a home run over the left-field fence. Joe Grato batted in what proved to be the difference with a sacrifice fly.

Eagles' head coach Jed Morris noted an improved consistency in all aspects of the team's game today. He commented that the batters had much better approaches at the plate in terms of waiting for something to hit. He added that in the field the Eagles minimized mistakes and on the mound, the pitchers didn't get flustered if they got into a jam. Morris noted that the five Eagles' pitchers that took the hill today were throwing good breaking balls and locating the spots they wanted.

The Eagles recorded a season-high 11 hits and scored in five different innings. Every player in Eastern's starting lineup had a base hit. Angelo Kelly batted leadoff and went 2-for-4 and scored twice. Freshman Timmy Gorton also had a two-hit game. 

Check, normally known for being a solid contact hitter, proved he could go deep and hit his first career home run as an Eagle. Batting in the nine-hole, Check went 1-for-1 with the home run and walked in his three plate appearances prior to that.

Chris Marinaccio started the game on the mound for the Eagles and tossed four innings, allowing three hits and three runs while striking out five and walking none. Marinaccio was tagged for all three of those runs, (only one of which was earned) in the first inning, but then he got into a groove and shut the Wolverines down. The Eagles, who were planning on pitching by committee today, received solid innings from relievers Mike McCracken, Jarrid Kosa, Ryan Ellison and Josh Freed. The three middle relievers only allowed three base-runners. Freed got into a jam in the bottom of the ninth, but worked his way out of it to record the save. 

Eastern led 6-3 going into the bottom of the ninth, but the Wolverines scored twice with two outs. Wesley had runners on first and second, but Freed struck out the final batter to keep the win intact for the Eagles.

Eastern (1-7) plays Muhlenberg College at 7 p.m. at Diamond Nation in Flemington, N.J. on Tuesday night. The Eagles played at this neutral site as the home team on Friday, but will the take the field as the visitor against Muhlenberg.

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