Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

LAKELAND, Fla. (March 10) – The Waynesburg University baseball team continued its week-long stay at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational by facing Juniata College on Monday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets (2-5) dropped a pair of contests to the Eagles (3-7) at Henley Field in Lakeland, Fla., which is the former Spring Training home of the Detroit Tigers. Waynesburg built an early lead in game one, but fell 8-4. Juniata swept the doubleheader by taking game two 6-1.
 
Waynesburg continued its recent hot hitting during the early portion of game one. Juniata scored the game's first run in the top of the first inning, but Waynesburg answered right back in the second inning. Freshman designated hitter Jonathan Kletzli singled to lead off and freshman third baseman Luke Carter followed that up by drawing a walk. Sophomore first baseman Matt Bensinger doubled home Kletzli to tie the game at 1-1.


Freshman catcher Josh Hausler reached on a fielder's choice as the Juniata pitcher unsuccessfully tried to chase Carter back to third base. That set up junior outfielder Eric Crum to plate Carter with an RBI groundout that gave the Jackets a 2-1 lead. Junior Jordan Truscott singled to center field to score Bensinger and Hausler and push the Jacket advantage to 4-1.


Unfortunately, Waynesburg's lead was short-lived as the Eagles scored three runs to tie the contest in the bottom half of the second. The score remained that way until the Eagles scored three runs in the fifth and another in the sixth for an 8-4 advantage. Waynesburg was able to put several runners on base during the final stretch of the loss, but couldn't push any across home plate.
 
Freshman David Cross got the start and took the loss on the mound in game one. The right-handed hurler pitched four-plus innings, during which he surrendered six runs (all earned) on eight hits. Cross struck out three and walked one. Kletzli, Bensinger and Crum each put together multi-hit performances in the defeat. Carter added a double for his first collegiate hit.
 
The Eagles jumped out to an early advantage in game two by plating a run in the bottom of the first inning. Juniata tacked on two more in the third and fifth innings, respectively, to build its lead up to 5-0. They added another run in the sixth before Waynesburg broke up the shutout in the final inning with a run via an RBI single by Bensinger that brought home shortstop Brian Jennings.
 
Sophomore pitcher Connor Furwa got the start in game two. He pitched five innings and allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits. Furwa struck out three and walked two batters.
 
Bensinger continued a hot spring break at the plate in game two by going three-for-four with the game's lone extra base hit and a RBI. Freshman designated hitter Justin Davey added two hits for Waynesburg.
 
The Jackets return to action Tuesday when they face Vassar College for a single nine-inning contest. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.