ALTOONA, PA. – Juniata College baseball led in both ends of a double header against Penn State Altoona, but eventually fell 7-4 and 13-12 in Altoona, Pa Tuesday afternoon.
In game one, the Eagles jumped out to a 4-3 lead heading into the fourth inning, with single runs scored in the first and third and two runs plated in the second inning.
However, the Lions managed to blank Juniata (10-19) on the scoreboard for the rest of the game, as Penn State Altoona (11-16) tacked on one run in the sixth and three in the seventh to take the game.
Juniata racked up seven runs to open game two, but Penn State Atloona's steady hitting across the seven innings ultimately sunk Juniata.
Both juniors Cole Walters (Mt. Union, Pa./Mt. Union) and Chase Dykstra (Somerset, Pa./Somerset) smacked homeruns, with Dykstra's round-tripper coming in game one that scored two runs. Walters plated two runs with his homerun during his first at bat in game two.
Derek Heath (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon) had three hits over the two contests with two doubles. Dykstra also hit two doubles, one coming in each game.
Sophomore Joe Sforza (Pittstown, Pa./Immaculata) is charged with game one's loss, pitching five innings for Juniata and allowing nine hits, six runs, and striking out one Lion. Freshman Chris Fulton (West Chester, Pa./Unionville High School) closed out the game with one inning of work, facing four batters and giving up one run and one hit.
Sophomore Ryan Morrison (Lebanon, Pa./Lebanon Catholic) got game two's start and is credited the 13-12 loss. Morrison walked four batters, struck out one, and eight runs crossed the plate with him on the mound. Mario DeYulius (Ebensburg, Pa./Central Cambria) hurled 1.1 innings and allowed five runs, only three of which were earned. Brad Medellin (Lewisberry, Pa./Red Land) finished-up game two with two innings on the mound. Medellin struck out two batters and gave up just one hit.
Juniata will next host Penn State Altoona on Thursday, April 19, as the Eagles have a Landmark Conference bye this coming weekend.
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