HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Junior outfielder Michael Gaeta (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) drove in seven runs on the day and senior Anthony Duchnowski (Dunmore, Pa./Bishop O'Hara) had the go-ahead pinch hit RBI single in the opener as The University of Scranton baseball team swept a doubleheader at Juniata, 13-12 in nine innings and 13-9, on Sunday afternoon at Langdon-Goodale Field.

Duchnowski's RBI single capped a wild first game that saw Juniata lead 6-2 after two innings before Scranton (5-4, 2-0 Landmark) rallied to take a 13-6 lead after the top of the sixth. The Eagles (3-10, 0-2 Landmark) rallied to force extra innings with two runs in the sixth and four in the bottom of the seventh. 

The Royals got two hits from sophomore first baseman Ross Danzig (Clarks Green, Pa./Abington Heights/Blair Academy, N.J.) and senior shortstop Tim LeCompte (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic). Danzig, Gaeta, sophomore Nick Papillo (Germantown, Md./St. John's College H.S.) and sophomore second baseman Matt Maghini (Madison, Conn./Daniel Hand) each had two RBIs in the victory.

Sophomore right-hander Josh Bayzick (Sugarloaf, Pa./Hazleton Area) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief to get the victory. He stranded the winning run on second in the bottom of the seventh, then stymied Juniata in the eighth and ninth. Bayzick now has a win and two saves in three appearances this season. 

In the second game, Scranton jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings, but the Eagles scored four times in the third to take the lead. The Royals answered back with four of their own in the fourth and stretched the lead to 10-4 after the top of the sixth.

But much like in the first game, Juniata rallied again, scoring five times in the sixth to cut Scranton's lead to one. The Royals then put the game away with three runs in the seventh. 

Gaeta finished the second game 3-for-5 with a double and five RBIs. Danzig went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored, and junior designated hitter Eric Pizzico (Royersford, Pa./Spring Ford) singled, drove in three and scored twice. Junior third baseman Mike Trabulsi (Malverne, N.Y./Chaminade) added two hits, an RBI and a run.

Senior lefty Corey Gorman (Laflin, Pa./Coughlin) struck out seven while allowing four runs, three earned, on five hits and three walks in five innings for the win. Sophomore righty Jimmy Sawyer (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) worked the final inning and a third, striking out two and walking one, for his first career save. 

The Royals return to action on Wednesday, March 20, when they host Misericordia at 3:30 p.m. at Connell Park.

--ROYALS--