Huntingdon, Pa. – The Juniata baseball team defeated D'Youville 4-2 in the first game of their Saturday afternoon doubleheader before dropping game two, 7-3.
In game one, the Spartans put up their only two runs in the second inning. Juniata was quick to respond in the bottom half of the inning, putting up three of their own. An infield single from Austin Suders (Marion, Pa./Chambersburg Area) followed by a Zach Tobash (Macungie, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) double put the Eagles in scoring position, and a ground ball hit to the short stop by Hunter Price (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon Area) allowed for Suders to cross the plate. Zane Morgan (Bigler, Pa./Clearfield Area High School) and Larry Corle (Martinsburg, Pa./Central High School) both singled to the outfield to secure another run for the Eagles, and Devyn Carper's (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area) double through the left side gave JC the 3-2 advantage to close out the inning.
It was a defensive battle through the eighth until Isaac Maclay (Bellville, Pa./Mifflin County High School) laid a double down the left field line and advanced to third on a fly to right field. Maclay scored on a pass ball, and Juniata was able to hold the Spartans in the ninth to clinch the 4-2 victory.
Drew Harshbarger (Mount Union, Pa./Mount Union) earned the win, striking out seven. Adam Kipp (Mt. Wolf,Pa./Northeastern) put down six batters and gave up no runs.
The Spartans were the first to get on the board to start off game two with a three-run homerun in the first inning. Carper came out swinging for the Eagles in the bottom of the inning and advanced to third on a sacrifice fly from Chris Schreder (Lititz, Pa./Lancaster Catholic). Maclay had his second double down the left field line of the day, sending Carper home.
Both teams scored a run in the third. Carper got on base off a walk and advanced to third off Corle's infield single. Corle stole second while Carper advanced home on the throw, ending the inning 4-2 D'Youville.
The fifth inning saw the Spartans put up two runs off four hits and a walk. D'Youville scored again in the sixth to go up 7-2, sparking the Eagles' attempt to battle back in the bottom of the inning. Singles from Price and Matt Innella (Commack, NY/Commack) advanced a walked Maclay to third who eventually scored on a pass ball to give JC another run.
The Eagles were unable to generate more runs and dropped the game, 7-3.
Tomorrow's contest against Penn State Harrisburg has been postponed to a later date. The Eagles return home next Saturday, March 17, to face Scranton.
