HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata softball team lost two close ones against Wilson at home on Friday afternoon, falling 5-4 in 8 innings in the first game before suffering a 2-1 defeat in game two.
Starter Cate Baran (Tyrone, Pa. / Tyrone) was dealt the loss in game one despite a solid performance in the circle. She allowed nine hits in eight innings of work, with only one of Wilson's five runs being earned. She also struck out four batters. Both offenses were held in check at the start, with the game remaining scoreless for the first three innings. Wilson broke through with a run in the top of the fourth before Juniata responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the fifth inning, courtesy of a Baran fly ball getting lost in the sun and finding the outfield grass next to the center fielder. Wilson regained their advantage in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs on a costly Juniata fielding error. With the game on the line, senior Maya McLeod (San Diego, Calif. / La Jolla Country Day) stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning with two runners on base and two outs on the board, the Eagles trailing 3-1. And just as she has done throughout the season, McLeod came up with a clutch hit, ripping a double to center field and scoring the two runners to tie the game and force it into extra innings.
After Wilson pushed two runs across in the top of the eighth inning, the Eagles again had their backs against the wall. The bottom of the inning began with a strikeout, but Ruthie Betts (Hawk Run, Pa. / West Branch Area) then came through with a double of her own, scoring a runner to make the score 5-4. Unfortunately, luck would not work in favor of the Eagles after that, with Alex Douglass (West Chester, Pa. / West Chester East) making solid contact but lining out directly to the shortstop, who then threw to second to put out Betts before she could make it back to base, ending the game on the double play.
Game two saw the pitchers duel in a low-scoring contest, with Eagles' starter Catherine Miller (Huntingdon, Pa. / Huntingdon) ultimately taking the loss despite allowing only one earned run on ten hits while striking out eight batters.
The Eagles struck first in the game, taking the lead in the bottom of the third inning after Baran walked to reach base, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball, and was scored by an RBI single from freshman Jessie Hunt (Bath, Pa. / Northampton Area). Wilson would then knot the game back up in the top of the fourth, taking advantage of a fielding error during a stolen base attempt to push a runner across with two outs in the inning. They then strung together three consecutive singles in the top of the fifth inning, scoring another run to take a 2-1 lead, which would ultimately hold up for the remainder of the game.
Another Juniata comeback effort would fall short in game two, with the Eagles managing to load the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning with only one out. However, two straight grounders allowed Wilson to put out the runners advancing to home and hold on to their one-run victory.
The Eagles have a pair of doubleheaders next week as they play away at Susquehanna on Wednesday the 20th and before hosting Drew on Saturday the 23rd.
