HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata softball team opened up conference play with a pair of losses against Scranton. The Eagles fell, 9-4 in game one and, 17-7 in game two.
Scranton started off game one with two runs in the first. Juniata cut Scranton's lead in half in the bottom of the second. Amy Chen (Philadelphia, Pa. / Science Leadership Academy) started off the inning with a walk. After a ground out to first, Chen advanced to second. Molly Ulrich (Homer, N.Y. / Homer Central) doubled to left field and Chen ran across home plate. The Royals grabbed another run in the third. Scranton then added two in the fifth to extend their lead to 5-1.
Scranton tacked on four more runs in the top of the sixth to lead, 9-1. In the bottom of the sixth, the Eagles picked up three more runs to cut the Royals lead. Chen singled then advanced to second on a throw. Catherine Miller (Huntingdon, Pa. / Huntingdon Area) was walked, then she and Chen advanced on a passed ball. Natalie Krug (Northern Cambria, Pa. / Northern Cambria) singled up the middle, advancing Miller to third and allowing Chen to score. After a ground out to the pitcher, Krug advanced to second on a throw while Miller scored on a throw. In the bottom of the seventh, Ashley Clark (Saxton, Pa. / Tussey Mountain) homered to close out the game. Juniata fell, 9-4 to Scranton in game one.
Game two saw Scranton take an early lead in the first as they scored two. The Eagles fought back in the second as they picked up three runs to take the lead, 3-2. The inning started off with a Chen walk. Miller reached first on an error by the pitcher and Chen advanced to second. Ulrich bunted for a single, advancing Miller and Chen. Alyssa "Sheddy" Shedlock (State College, Pa. / State College) doubled to center field, advancing Ulrich and sending Miller and Chen home. Ulrich then scored on a wild pitch.
The Royals added on another four runs in the third and seven in the fourth to extend their lead, 13-3. Juniata grabbed another run in the bottom of the fourth. Clark singled to right center then Maya McLeod (San Diego, Calif. / La Jolla Country Day School) doubled up the middle to send Clark across home plate. In the fifth Scranton added on another three runs to extend their lead, 17-4.
The Eagles started off the bottom of the fifth with a single to second base from Miller. Krug singled and then advanced to second on an error by the second basewoman; Miller also advanced to third. Ulrich singled to first base advancing Krug and Miller. Ulrich then stole second base. Shedlock singled to left center and Ulrich and Krug ran home to make the final score, 17-7.
In game two, Shedlock went 3-4, with a double and four RBI. Ulrch went 3-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Juniata will host Marywood, Tuesday, March 26th for a non-conference doubleheader starting at 3:00PM.