HUNTINGDON, Pa. – While the Juniata College softball team secured their postseason fate on April 24 with a doubleheader sweep over the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the baseball team needed a win on the final day of the regular season to earn its berth.
The sweep over the Mariners for softball was also its last Commonwealth Conference regular season matchup, but a conference bye week for the final weekend allowed the Eagles to sit back and watch the remaining teams battle for position.
The same could not be said for the baseball team as it went into its final weekend of conference play needing to win two out of three games to earn the fourth and final playoff spot over the University of Scranton. Both teams were notched at 8-7 in conference play heading into the series.
The Eagles lost game one, so the pressure was to get the job done with no room for error. Game two was a nail-biter as Matt Regan (Downingtown, Pa./Devon Prep) threw a two-hitter, helping the Eagles to a 5-4 victory. Then, John Love (Loysburg, Pa./Northern Bedford) threw a complete game eight-hitter in the nine-inning contest on Sunday as the bats came alive for the 16-3 rout.
Both teams will play the opening game of the playoffs, both being held at Moravian College. Each of the Greyhound teams earned the number one seed and the right to host each tournament.
Softball Playoff Schedule
Friday, May 7
1) 11:00 a.m. - #1 Moravian College vs. #4 Juniata College
2) 1:00 p.m. - #2 Susquehanna University vs. #3 The University of Scranton
3) 3:00 p.m. – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
Saturday, May 8
4) 9:00 a.m. – Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2
5) 11:00 a.m. – Loser of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4
6) 1:00 p.m. – Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
7) 3:00 p.m. – Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6 (if necessary)
Baseball Playoff Schedule
Friday, May 7
1) 9:00 a.m. - #1 Moravian College vs. #4 Juniata College
2) 12:30 p.m. - #2 Catholic University vs. #3 Susquehanna University
3) 4:00 p.m. – Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2
Saturday, May 8
4) 9:00 a.m. – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
5) 12:30 p.m. – Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4
6) 4:00 p.m. – Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5
Sunday, May 9
7) 12:00 p.m. – Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6 (if necessary)
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