Barons Win Thriller Against Baruch 10-8

Franciscan won its second consecutive game in a 9th inning victory over the Bearcats of Baruch College from New York, New York. The Barons are playing a series of exhibition games for spring training in Coco Beach, Fla.

Steve Jagla came to the plate in the top of the ninth down 8-7 with two outs and the bases loaded. A singing triple to left field cleared the bases and lifted the Barons to victory. It was Jagla's only hit of the game, and it turned out to be the only one he would need.

Franciscan had asserted dominance early. After allowing the Bearcats to draw blood first and score two in the second, the Barons took control and scored 7 runs of their own by the fourth. Center fielder Chris Clynes had a big inning, driving in 2 of his 3 RBIs on the day off of a single. But Baruch was relentless, chipping away a few runs at a time over the course of the next three innings. By the seventh inning the score was tied at 7-7.

In the eighth inning the Bearcats' Jorge Rosada scored  off of an error by Franciscan catcher Rob Marrow to put Baruch up 8-7. But Baruch found pitching troubles in the ninth as three  walks and a passed ball, set the stage for Jagla's heroic moment. Marcos Meija tripled in the bottom of the ninth before Franciscan pitcher Steve Daly got Benjamin Riofrio to fly out to center field to end the game 10-8.

Daly pitched a complete game, giving up 6 earned runs over 14 hits with 5 K's.            

Franciscan's record now stands at 3-7.