Eagles’ Consistent Offense Offset By Royals’ Big Innings

HUNTINGDON, PA – The Juniata men's baseball team (6-16, 2-12 Landmark) had no problem bringing in runs and getting hits throughout the doubleheader against Scranton (12-11, 9-5 Landmark) Saturday afternoon at the Langdon-Goodale Field. The Royals ended up taking both games thanks to one or two big innings during the game.

In game one, Scranton's big inning was the fifth, when they put up four runs. Juniata lost game one 4-6. During the second game, Scranton opened and closed with high-scoring innings. The Royals scored seven runs in the first and eight in the seventh. Scranton took game two 16-9.

Joe Klusman (Wilmington, DE / St. Elizabeth) scored the first run for Juniata when he took advantage of a passed ball by Scranton.

In the bottom of the fourth, Cody Krepps (Tyrone, PA / Bellwood-Antis) hit an RBI-single to left to bring in Brady Cotler (Chadds Ford, PA / Salesianum) to tie the game at 2. 

Krepps would bring in Cotler one more time with an RBI-single to left in the bottom sixth.

Tyler Morris (Ellicott City, MD / Centennial) scored the final run for Juniata off a groundout by Anthony Lombardo (Altoona, PA / Altoona Area).

The seven-run lead the Royals put up against Juniata in the top of the first of game two set the Eagles up for a battle. Juniata fought their way back and made it a three-run game heading into the seventh. Scranton scored eight runs in the top of the seventh for their insurance of game two. 

After the first inning, Jesse Beeler (Greencastle, PA Greencastle-Antrim) was solid for the Eagles. Beeler finished the game with five strikeouts and allowed just one run after the first inning.

Juniata's offense responded to the Royals' first inning with two runs of their own.

Lombardo came to the plate and hit a double to left field. Chris Schreder (Litiz, PA / Lancaster Catholic) ended up scoring on the error by Brian Healy. Lombardo scored a few batters later.

Bottom of the third, Krepps hit another RBI-single to left, this time bringing in Lombardo. 

In the bottom of the sixth, Jacob Terry (Denver, PA / Cocalico HS) hit a sacrifice fly out to center. Nick Mistretta (South Williamsport, PA / South Williamsport) scored on the play.

Later in the sixth, Lombardo hit an RBI-double to left to bring in Schreder. Juniata had battled back to make it a 5-8 game heading into the final inning.

After Scranton put up eight runs, the Eagles knew they had to get the bats going.

Mistretta hit an RBI-single to bring in David DeFreest (Duxburry, VT / Harwood Union). Krepps scored an unearned run off an error at first. Schreder had a huge play when he hit a 2-RBI-triple with two outs.

The rally would end up stopping after the four runs scored in the bottom of the seventh and the Royals took game two, 9-16. 

Juniata and Scranton play the final game in the three-game series tomorrow at noon at the Langdon-Goodale Field.