ALTOONA, Pa.- The Juniata softball team split, 11-1, 4-3 at Penn St.-Altoona on a sunny Thursday afternoon.
Game one saw Juniata come out on top as they used Penn St.-Altoona's seven errors to their advantage as they defeated the Lions,11-1 in five innings. The Eagles started off right away in the first inning as Alyssa "Sheddy" Shedlock (State College, Pa. / State College) singled to center field followed by an Abby Ebright (Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin East HS) RBI double to left field. Catherine Miller (Huntingdon, Pa. / Huntingdon Area) then homered to left field bringing in Ebright to go up, 3-0. In the top of the second, Molly Ulrich (Homer, N.Y. / Homer Central) singled through the right side and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Sheldock doubled down the right field line which brought Ulrich home. Ebright reached first on a throwing error by the shortstop which allowed Shedlock to advance. Ebright then stole second and Shedlock scored on a throwing error by the catcher.
The third inning was scoreless and going into the fourth inning, the Eagles led the Lions, 5-0. Amy Chen (Philadelphia, Pa. / Science Leadership Academy) started off the fourth with a single to left field and advanced to second on a fielding error by the left fielder. Natalie Krug (Northern Cambria, Pa. / Northern Cambria) was walked then a wild pitch advanced both her and Chen. Shedlock reached first on a fielding error by the first basewoman allowing Krug and Chen to score to extend JC's lead, 7-0. Ebright singled to the pitcher advancing Shedlock. Ebright and Shedlock then advanced on a throwing error by the shortstop. Maggie Peck (Philipsburg, Pa. / Philipsburg Osceola) doubled to left field for two-RBI. Going into the fifth, Juniata led, 9-0.
Chen reached first on a fielding error by the pitcher to start off the fifth. A walk by Krug, advanced Chen to second. Ulrich reached first on a dropped fly by the center fielder to advance Krug and Chen. A single down the right field line by Shedlock brought home Krug and Chen. Penn St.-Altoona scored their only run in the bottom of the fifth.
Shedlock went 3-4 with three runs scored and four RBI. Ebright went 2-4 with a double, two runs scored and a RBI. Miller went 1-3 with a home run, and two RBI.
Juniata got off to a slow start in game two as Penn St.-Altoona scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth. In the fifth the Eagles struck back as Miller hit a three-RBI home run to center field to take the lead, 3-2. Juniata couldn't hold their lead as the Lions scored two more runs in the seventh to take game two, 4-3.
Miller went 1-2 with a home run, a run scored and three RBI. Ebright went 2-4 with a run scored. Chen went 1-2 with a double.
Juniata will host Susquehanna this Saturday, April 20th starting at 1:00PM for a conference doubleheader.
