Juniata Suffers 6-4 Loss to Susquehanna In Landmark Season Opener

By: Laura Chapman
Assistant Sports Information Director
chapmal@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
Photo: Jennifer Jones 

LEWSIBURG, Pa. – On the first day of the Landmark Conference season, the Juniata College baseball team dropped a close came to Susquehanna University, 6-4, on Depew Field at Bucknell University field. Junior pitcher Chris Fulton (West Chester, Pa./Unionville High School) threw seven complete innings in the loss giving up 11 hits and six earned runs, striking out two batters.

"We did execute at points, but we didn't really execute where we needed to," said head coach Jesse Leonard. "We had some opportunities with the lead to score runs and we couldn't quite do it and that's what came back to bite us."

Susquehanna threatened in the top of the first with runners at the corners and only one out. Senior catcher Dan Gray (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) cut down the Crusaders runner trying to steal second and Fulton forced a ground out to second base to end the threat with no runs scored.

"Chris has given us those kind of quality performances all year," said Leonard. "He was deserving of the win today, but unfortunately we couldn't come out on top for him. He's consistently given us good games and he's going to continue to do that. He pitched a great game."

The Eagles threatened in the bottom of the frame, but it was Susquehanna who scored first in the top of the third. Juniata came back with three in the bottom of the third. Senior second baseman Brad Medellin (Lewisberry, Pa./Red Land) singled home junior left fielder Nick Stubbs (Hagerstown, Md./South Hagerstown) and then scored on a double by senior third baseman Joe Sforza (Pittstown, N.J./Immaculata). Sforza came around to score on a single by junior centerfielder Cody Krepps (Tyrone, Pa./Bellwood-Antis) to make it a 3-1 Eagle lead. Sforza finished the day 3-for-5 with one run scored and one run batted in.

Each team scored a run in fourth with Medellin singling home sophomore designated hitter Kyle Pannebaker (Thompsontown, Pa./East Juniata) to keep the two run lead at 4-2. Medellin was 2-for-5 in the game with one run scored and two runs batted in. The Crusaders scored one in the sixth and took the lead, 6-4, with four in the seventh. Senior pitcher Mario DeYulis (Ebensburg, Pa./Central Cambria) threw two complete innings in relief giving up just one hit and striking out two. Juniata managed to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth, but was unable to plate a run and fell to 3-9 on the year.

"A credit to Susquehanna to keep themselves close and it was a well fought win for them," added Leonard. "Our expectations are to come out tomorrow and play our game because it is going to take us where we need it to."

The teams will be back on the diamond tomorrow to finish out the series with a seven-inning doubleheader slated to start at noon and Depew field.

Follow Your Eagles! Stay up-to-date on your Juniata College Eagles by following us on twitter (@JuniataEagles) and on Facebook (Juniata Eagles).