ST. DAVIDS, Pa. - Behind a pair of late home runs and some solid pitching down the stretch, Eastern Baseball recorded its seventh victory of the season with a 5-4, walk-off triumph over Muhlenberg College on Friday night at The Yard. Griffin Falco and Draig Cooley both went yard in the eighth to give the Eagles their first lead, and a bases-loaded walk to Sean Cottrell in the bottom of the ninth secured Eastern's fourth win in its last five games.

Eight different Eagles recorded at least one hit, and five drove in a run. Gavin Mikulski put together a quality start on the mound, giving up three runs, two earned, while striking out two. Henry Hutchinson and Andy Ramos (2-2) were effective in relief, allowing just three hits and one earned run while combining to strike out five in the final 3.2 frames. 

After three scoreless innings to begin the contest, the Mules (10-4) struck first with an RBI single in the top of the fourth inning, but the Eagles found the equalizer in the bottom of the fifth. On the heels of two quick outs, Connor Schilling doubled off the top of the center field wall, before a Brad Clemens RBI single down the first base line tied the contest at 1-1.

Muhlenberg regained the lead in the top of the sixth on a questionable call made on the field. After a bunt attempt, catcher Jason Hall looked to have tagged the batter out close to home plate. However, the umpire did not signal the out, and a subsequent error after the non-ruling resulted in a pair of runs scoring for the Mules. Though the Muhlenberg batter was eventually called out, both runs still counted.

However, the Eagles showcased their resilience and kept their composure throughout the rest of the evening, continuing to battle their way back. After the Eagles escaped the top of the frame with a double play, Joe Paradise brought the Eagles to within one run in the bottom half of the frame. With two outs, Paradise ripped the ball into the left-center gap, scoring Cottrell from first base.

The Mules had multiple opportunities to increase their lead in the seventh and eighth innings, but could not capitalize. Their best chance came in the eighth when they loaded the bases with one out, but a Ramos strikeout and a sensational catch in foul territory by Hall helped the Eagles escape the jam.

With momentum on their side, the Eagles took advantage. Falco started the rally with a bomb to left-center field, before Cooley, pinch hitting for Paradise, ripped a laser to the deepest part of the Yard on the second pitch he saw to give the Eagles a 4-3 lead.

While the Mules were able to tie the game in the top of the ninth, the Eagles quickly loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame on a pair of walks and a hit by pitch. Showing great patience at the plate, Cottrell battled all the way back from a 0-2 count to force the walk-off, bases-loaded walk to send the Eagles home victorious.

"The home runs were in big spots, but the offense didn't fold early in the game when their guy was able to get three different pithes in for strikes," Eastern Head Coach Scott Renauro said. "They kept with their approaches and they started to barrel balls up in the middle and latter part of the game. Gavin gave us another quality start today and our pen did a nice job competing in the zone."

Eastern (7-11) hits the road tomorrow to Union to take on Kean in a pair of contest. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm.