HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata baseball team split their doubleheader with Penn State Altoona on Tuesday, losing 8-7 in game one before regrouping to win game two 5-1.
Game one would be a back and forth affair early, with Juniata starter Sam Hostrander (South Williamsport, Pa. / South Williamsport) struggling with his command while the Eagles' offense produced five runs in the first two innings. Hostrander would walk eight batters in 2.1 innings of work, with the Lions scoring six runs in the first three innings to give themselves a 6-5 lead. They added one more in the top of the fifth before Joey Allegrini (Hershey, Pa. / Hershey) responded with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning to knot the game up at seven apiece. The tie would be short-lived, as Altoona would score a run in the top of the sixth and hold the Eagles scoreless in their final two frames, giving the Lions the 8-7 victory in game one.
Game two provided a low-scoring pitcher's duel, with the Eagles starter Jack Johnson (Alexandria, Pa. / Juniata Valley) allowing just one run in three innings of work before giving way to relievers Zachary Malone (Bainbridge, Pa. / Elizabethtown Area) and Dominic Hoyle (Woodbridge, Va. / Garfield), who combined for six shutout innings to close out the game. The Eagles kickstarted their offense in the bottom of the third with a two-run shot over the fence from reigning Landmark Player of the Year Isaac Maclay (Belleville, Pa. / Mifflin County), giving Juniata the lead. They would extend it with single tallies in the fourth, sixth, and eighth innings to give them their 5-1 victory.
The results move the Eagles to 6-11 overall on the season, with the schedule next taking them on the road for a weekend 3-game series with Landmark rival Catholic. Game One begins at 12:00 PM on Saturday, April 2nd.
