SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Juniata's bats came alive in a dominant offensive performance as the Eagles secured a 12-8 road victory over Susquehanna on Tuesday afternoon. A six-run fourth inning and a clutch four-run seventh proved to be the difference, helping Juniata snap a five-game skid.
After a quiet start, the Eagles broke through in the third when Zach Johnston doubled down the right-field line to bring home Charlie Bakken for a 1-0 lead. Juniata erupted in the fourth, capitalizing on Susquehanna's pitching struggles. Johnston was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a run before Jace Irvin laced a two-run single, extending the lead to 4-0. Ethan Pfeffer worked a bases-loaded walk, and Joey Woodrow capped the inning with a two-run single, putting the Eagles ahead 7-0.
Susquehanna responded with a four-run bottom of the fourth, but Juniata's bullpen held firm.
The River Hawks made things interesting in the sixth, scoring three runs to tie the game at 7-7. However, Juniata answered immediately in the seventh. Bakken delivered a clutch two-run single, followed by a Johnston sacrifice fly and an RBI single from Irvin, putting the Eagles back in control at 11-7.
Connor Meisner added an insurance run in the eighth with a double to left, scoring Pfeffer to make it 12-8. Connor Blough shut the door with two scoreless innings of relief to seal the win.
Juniata has a quick turnaround facing off with Dickinson tomorrow at 3:30 PM.
