SELINSGROVE, PA - Susquehanna baseball was beaten in the first of three Landmark Conference midweek games against Juniata College, 12-8, in a high-scoring clash in which the River Hawks recorded 13 hits.

Juniata was first on the scoreboard in the top of the third off starter Nate Greene, while Susquehanna was unable to manage a hit in the first three frames.

Both sides batted around in the fourth, with Juniata putting up six while Susquehanna managed four runs. The first five batters reached base with Tony Rossi singling, Michael Gagliardi drawing a walk, Sam Martucci singling, and then CJ Orrego notched a two-run single to right center while Aidan Proctor walked. The next two batters, Tyler Hmielewski and Lucas Zachesky, both managed sac flies, which made the score 7-4 after four frames.

The River Hawks turned a 7-0 deficit into a 7-7 tie by batting around again in the sixth, with an RBI knock by Dylan Heyduk scoring Zachesky and a two-run single by Martucci. Martucci's hit scored Jaden Buechler and Heyduk. Zach Plank twirled 2.1 shutout innings to keep the River Hawks in the game, but when he was relieved, four runs followed in the top of the seventh.

The River Hawks got their final run of the day in the bottom half of the seventh, and the Eagles responded with an insurance run in the following half-inning. Jacob Klotz was saddled with the loss for Susquehanna, allowing two earned runs while recording one out.

Juniata's success was aided by four double plays, putting premature ends to several Susquehanna rallies, while the home side left 12 runners on base.

Buechler led the River Hawks with three hits, all singles. Gagliardi, Martucci, Orrego, and Zachesky all added two, and Orrego reached base in all five of his plate appearances with three walks. Greene and Plank each punched out three Eagles.

WIth the defeat, Susquehanna falls to 11-8 and 4-3 in the Landmark Conference. They are set to host Scranton next, with a three-game set starting March 29th.