Contact: Mark Johnson, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications, 563-588-7243

AUBURNDALE, Fla. (Mar. 12, 2020) – Staying perfect in Florida the Loras College baseball team (3-6) defeated Juniata College (4-3) by a final score of 8-5 as Ethan Peters now moves to 1-1 on the season for the Duhawks. 

Matt Gruszkowski got things started for the Duhawks with a leadoff single in the bottom of the second after both teams went scoreless in the first while Bill Luzzo followed with a double to left-center advancing Gruszkowksi to third. The designated hitter Ryan Gorman followed Luzzo's lead hitting another double only this time to left field scoring both Gruszkowski and Luzzo. Adam Metivier also reached base for Loras and was eventually hit home by Joe Egan on an RBI single up the middle extending the Duhawks' lead to four runs as the second inning came to a close. Loras made quick work of the Eagles in the top of the third as Dakota Church recorded the first out of the inning throwing out their leadoff batter trying to steal second while Peters took care of the rest recording back-to-back strikeouts. The Duhawks added one more in the bottom of the third as Gruszkowski scored again off another RBI single from Gorman. Juniata added two runs in the top of the fifth after the first batter reached base-on-balls cutting Duhawks' lead to just three runs heading into the bottom of the fifth. Loras responded with a run of their own as Luzzo scored his second run of the game for the Duhawks on a Church RBI single. Loras added their final runs of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning after Luke Fennelly reached base-on-balls before Ryan Wohlers hit an RBI triple to center field. Wohlers eventually scored on a fielder's choice later in the inning giving the Duhawks an 8-2 lead heading into the seventh inning. The eagles attempted to rally but the pitching staff, defense, and the previously established Loras lead were too much for the Eagles to overcome as the Duhawks took home the victory by a final score of 8-5. 

The Duhawks are set to play their third game of the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational on Friday, March 13 against Greenville University in Auburndale, Fla. at 1:00 P.M. (ET).