BALTIMORE, MD – The Juniata Baseball team split their Saturday afternoon doubleheader with Notre Dame (MD) to move their record to 2-2 on the season.
Game one resulted in a 6-5 loss for Juniata, with the Eagles collecting nine hits and committing three errors in the matchup.
Aidan Chermol started for Juniata, pitching five innings and allowing five hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out three. Robbie Pliszka and Derek Gehr were solid in relief, but Connor Blough took the loss after allowing the winning run in the ninth.
Juniata jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Zach Johnston drove in a run with a single, and Ethan Pfeffer added another with a single of his own. A wild pitch allowed the third run to score.
The Eagles extended their lead in the second inning, with Johnston's second RBI single of the game to bring home Blough, making it 4-2.
In the fourth inning, Joey Woodrow brought in another run with a single to center field, putting Juniata ahead 5-2.
However, the offense was unable to add any more runs for the remainder of the game, leaving them with five total runs.
Juniata dominated Notre Dame (Md.) in game two with an 11-4 victory, showcasing strong offensive play and effective pitching throughout the game.
Juniata took control early, scoring three runs in the third inning. Johnston delivered a two-run double, followed by a run scored on a throwing error by Notre Dame's catcher.
The Eagles continued to pile on the runs, adding two more in the fourth inning. Johnston had another RBI single, and another run came home on an error, making it 6-0.
In the sixth inning, David Beard, Blough, and Caden Collins all scored on wild pitches or groundouts, increasing the lead to 9-0.
Zach Johnston helped further extend the lead in the seventh inning, reaching base on an error that allowed Tim Coleman to score, and Jackson Cunnane added an RBI walk to make it 11-4.
Hunter Thomas was stellar on the mound for Juniata, pitching five scoreless innings, allowing just four hits, and striking out four batters. He earned the win, keeping Notre Dame off the scoreboard through most of the game.
Pfeffer came in for relief but allowed four runs in 0.1 innings. However, Devon Coldren closed out the game with 1.2 innings of shutout relief, striking out three.
The Eagles will play their next game on Tuesday at No-Off Season baseball complex at 12:00 PM and 3:30 PM against Thiel.
