ANNVILLE, Pa.- The Juniata softball team earned a well-deserved split over now 23-6 Lebanon Valley College, losing game one 6-1 before winning game two 7-5 Tuesday afternoon at LVC Softball Park.
The Eagles appeared to be in business in the first. Claire Thomas led off with a double to right center, and Alex Douglass reached on a bunt while Thomas got to third. The Eagles couldn't push her across as the Dutchmen escaped the inning.
LVC took advantage in the next three innings, scoring two runs in the second, the third, and the fourth to build a 6-0 lead.
Douglass drove in Dani Berlin in the fifth for Juniata's lone run and the final run of game one.
The Eagle bats were lively early in game two as Thomas opened the game with a single to right, and Douglass placed a hit in the same spot. Alison Superka bopped a double to left to put JC up 2-0, and two batters later, Morgan Brumbaugh singled up the middle. A double steal saw Brumbaugh thrown out at second, but Superka crossed home plate safely to make it 3-0 JC.
The hosts needed just two innings to retake the lead. They scored twice in the second on a two-run triple and two more in the third to make it 4-3.
Emily Eutsey's RBI double to left center tied things for a moment. A sacrifice fly put the Dutchmen back on top in the bottom of the sixth.
In the seventh, Brumbaugh singled to right, and Ashley Robuck singled to left. Caleigh Love came in to pinch-hit and lined a double to center, scoring Brumbaugh. Kassandra Roush drew a walk, and Maryn Swank walked as well to give JC the lead back. Thomas lined a sacrifice fly to left to score love. Swank allowed one single before getting the next three batters out to end the game.
Superka went 1-2 with a double, two RBI, a walk, and two runs scored, while Swank went the distance as she allowed five runs on eight hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
Juniata will travel to take on the University of Scranton on Saturday at 1:00.
