By: Laura Chapman
Assistant Sports Information Director
chapmal@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
New Market, Va. – The Juniata College baseball team traveled to Virginia for a neutral site doubleheader against the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The Eagles fell in the seven inning game one, 7-2, before game two was cancelled due to rain. Junior center fielder Cody Krepps (Tyrone, Pa./Bellwood-Antis) was 2-for-3 on the day and had both runs batted in for Juniata.
The Panthers got on the board first scoring twice in the second, once in the third, and three times in the bottom of the fourth for the 6-0 lead over halfway through the game. After a scoreless fifth inning by both teams, the Eagles began to battle back in the top of the sixth.
Senior catcher Dan Gray (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) started a two-out rally with a single to shortstop and senior third baseman Joe Sforza (Pittstown, N.J./Immaculata) followed up with a single to right field. Gray and pinch runner sophomore Joe Klusman (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) both advanced on a wild pitch to put two runners in scoring position for Krepps. The junior delivered with a single to right field to drive in both runners.
Bradford came back with a run in the bottom of the sixth before shutting down the Eagles in order to close out the seven inning game. Junior pitcher Chris Fulton (West Chester, Pa./Unionville) took the loss for Juniata throwing six complete innings giving up seven runs, only one of which was earned. The lefty gave up just eight hits and two walks, striking out four batters on the day. The Eagles finished with five hits as a team and committed five errors in the field.
Juniata next travels to Florida over spring break for six games in the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. The Eagles return home Saturday, March 15, to open the Landmark Conference season against Susquehanna University. The three game series begins with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. on the 15th followed by the final game at noon on Sunday.
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