huntingdon, Pa. – The Juniata College softball team split its doubleheader against Landmark Conference rival the University of Scranton Saturday in its first home games of the season. The Eagles battled tough in game one, before falling 3-2 in the 10th inning. They rallied back and took game two 7-1 to improve to 6-8 overall, 2-2 against Landmark Conference opponents. The Eagles handed Scranton their first conference loss of the season. They dropped to 5-6 overall, 3-1 in league play.
Juniata showed off it's big bats during the day. They recorded three home runs in 13 hits. Senior Paige Robertson (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) had an outstanding offensive day. The center fielder hit .571 with two RBI and a run of her own.
Freshman Aly Smith (McVeytown, Pa./Mount Union) pitched her fourth complete game of the season, striking out 10 and allowing just one earned run during game one. Junior Kelsey Decker (Waynesboro, Pa./Waynesboro) earned the win in game two after pitching her third complete game and improved to 3-2 on the year.
Game One
Juniata jumped onto the board early. Freshman Brooke Walls (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg) led off in the first inning with a walk. Fellow freshman Jasmine Assad (Lambertville, N.J./South Hunterdon Regional) sent a 1-1 pitch over the center field wall to put Juniata up by two. The knock was her second of the year.
The Eagles held Scranton scoreless until the third inning. With one out and runners on first and second, Jamie Hampsey singled to right center, scoring one runner. Another run came across on a fly out to center, tying it up at 2-2. Defense became the name of the game as both teams were unable to score.
Juniata tried to rally late. In the bottom of the seventh inning, led off with a single up the middle with one out on a 1-2 pitch. Robertson then singled to left and the runners advanced when the next batter grounded out to first. But starting pitcher Hampsey got out of trouble and sent the game into extra innings.
Both teams remained scoreless in the eighth and the game moved to international tie breaker rules, starting with a runner on second base. It remained tied at two until the 10th inning. With a runner on second, the leadoff batter walked for Scranton and the pair moved into scoring position when the next batter grounded out. Jamie Shackles singled to center field and to earn the game winning RBI.
Hampsey picked up the win to improve to 3-3 on the year.
Game Two
Juniata's bats were on fire in game two. Down 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning, Robertson singled up the middle to lead off. Senior Steph Frith (Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove) then walked and the pair moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. When the next batter grounded out, Robertson scooted home to tie the game and Frith advanced the third. Assad then flew out to deep center field and Frith tagged home, scoring the eventual game winner.
The Eagles didn't stop swinging with the lead. Robertson singled to right field with one out and runners on second and third in the fourth inning. Both came across the plate to put Juniata up 4-1. Junior Rachel Smith (Martinsburg, Pa./Home School) hit her first home run of the year in the fifth inning. She took a 1-0 pitch deep to left center for a solo shot that gave the Eagles the 5-1 lead.
Juniata would put two more runs across in the bottom of the sixth inning. Junior Meghan Decker (Waynesboro, Pa./Waynesboro) led off with a single through the left side. Kelsea Decker then took the very next pitch deep to left field for her second homer of the season.
The Eagles defense had three up, three down in the top of the seventh to end the game. Alison Kucharski received the loss for Scranton.
Juniata remains home and will face Landmark rival Catholic University on Sunday, April 7 for a doubleheader that begins at 1 p.m.
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