FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Edgewood College baseball team started the Gene Cusic Collegaite Classic with a sharp performance on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles scored seven unanswered runs in the first five innings and held off a late University of Dubuque rally for an 8-5 victory at historic Terry Park. Jonathan Roehler had three hits, including his first home run of the season.

After the University of Dubuque (2-2) tallied twice in the top of the first, Roehler evened the game with a two-run blast to plate Danny Appino in the bottom of the first. The Eagles took the lead in the second inning on a Jeff Tucker RBI single to bring home Callen Gavic after his leadoff walk.

While Eagle starter Adam Eck held down the Spartans, Edgewood College (2-0) opened up the game with a four-run fifth inning. Appino pushed Alex Fowler across all the way from first base with a double to right, and then scored on Roehler's RBI single. Nick Lehner stroked a double to bring home Roehler, and Tim Nunn knocked in pinch-runner Ryan Cassady with a single to center for a 7-2 lead.

Dubuque picked up single runs off Eagles reliever Jared Horton in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, to trim the Eagles lead to 8-5. The Spartans were threatening the Eagles with a one-out bases loaded jam in the top of the eighth when head coach Al Brisack called in Appino from left field to take over on the mound. Appino, making his first pitching appearance since May 2, 2015, got the ground ball he was looking for. Appino coaxed a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play to escape the jam. Appino stayed on to throw a perfect ninth inning for his second career save.

Eck earned his second win of the season in just two games, striking out seven batters and allowing just two earned runs in five innings. In all, Eagle pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts with Horton setting down three and Appino recording two.

Roehler picked up three hits, including a double and a home run, and added three runs batted in. Tim Nunn and Appino both went 2-for-4 with Nunn driving in a pair. Edgewood College had eight runs on nine hits for the second straight game.

Edgewood College returns to action Monday morning for a doubleheader with Western Connecticut State University. The Eagles and Colonials begin at 12:00 p.m. eastern time (11:00 a.m. central).