Eagles Split in Second Day Against Colonels
HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata baseball team split against Wilkes University on the final day, falling 15-5 via run rule in seven innings in game one before recovering in a back-and-forth 11-10 victory in the second game.
In game one, Wilkes consistently attacked Juniata's pitching, scoring at least two runs in every inning but the third. They totaled 15 runs on 13 hits, while the Juniata defense conceded two infield errors.
Michael Warren (2-for-4, 1 RBI) and Connor Blough (2-for-3) had multi-hit games in game one for Juniata, while Joey Woodrow went 1-for-2 with a double, two walks, and a run scored and Charlie Bakken drew two walks that turned into two runs.
The Eagles scored a run apiece in the first and second innings but were outpaced by four runs from Wilkes. Wilke added two more runs in the top of the fourth on a walk, triple, adnd infield error to go ahead 6-2.
Juniata got back within one in the bottom of the fourth as Woodrow doubled to open the inning, Bakken walked, and Tyler Mack singled to left field to score one run. Chui reached on an infield error to load the bases, then Dakotah Snyder had an infield single followed by a fielder's score to score the third run. Following a walk to reload the bases, Wilkes's pitching generated a strikeout to leave the go-ahead run in the second base at a 6-5 scoreline.
Wilkes added two runs in the fourth, four in the sixth, and three in the seventh to go ahead by ten runs for an early win.
A four-run eighth inning provided the runway needed to strand the go-ahead run at second base in the top of the ninth in game two.
Jace Irvin tied for the sixth-most RBIs in a single game in program history, going 3-for-4 with five RBIs, a home run, and two doubles. Joey Woodrow continued his strong day at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, four RBIs, and three runs scored. Charlie Bakken again drew two walks while going 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Connor Rohm pitched five innings on the mound, allowing two earned runs on six hits, six strikeouts, and three walks. Connor Krahulec earned a one-out save with his clutch strikeout in the ninth.
Wilkes scored two runs in the first inning via a triple, single, walk, and infield error sequence, still with no outs. Rohm recovered with a strikeout and two flyouts to leave the bases loaded.
Wilkes made it 3-0 in the second inning via a one-out double. Juniata responded in the bottom half with two runs, both coming with two out. Bakken started the run with a single, followed by a Blough single. Irvin doubled to the right-center gap to score both before a fielder's choice ended the frame.
The Colonels added another run in the third inning, which featured two singles, a hit batter, and an infield error. With the bases loaded and one out, Rohm generated a strikeout and a flyout to keep the gap at 4-2.
Juniata added one run in the fourth inning; Woodrow singled, Bakken walked, and Blough reached on an unsuccessful fielder's choice before a dropped third strike allowed Woodrow to score. A strikeout and a ground left the bases loaded at the end of the frame.
Rohm worked out of trouble in the fifth inning after letting the two first batters on. A sacrifice bunt was thrown to third base by Irvin to get the lead runner, the runner at second was picked off, then a fielder's choice ended the inning with a 4-3 deficit.
Juniata took the lead for the first time of the day in the fifth inning. Zach Johnston and Warren singled, then Woodrow scored one on a double to left center. An Irvin sacrifice fly a couple batters later scored another.
Wilkes let the lead stand for minutes via a two-out home run to left center field to reclaim a 6-5 advantage. Juniata tied the game in the bottom half with two outs. Corey Daniels reached on an error, Johnston was hit, and Warren singled to start. Woodrow singled to right field to score one before groundout sent things to the seventh.
Each team scored a run apiece in the seventh inning to keep things level. Wilkes scored one run on a two-out single to left field, while Irvin cleared the fence in left-center with one out.
A four-run bottom of the eighth proved crucial, pushing Juniata ahead 11-7. Daniels singled to start the frame, Johnston walked, and Warren reached on an infield error. A batter later, Woodrow cleared the bases on a double to left-center. With two outs, Irvin doubled Woodrow in.
Wilkes was down to their final out following a walk and a lineout double play at first base. A single, hit batter, walk sequence loaded the bases, followed by back-to-back singles to get within one run. The runners advanced a base on a wild pitch, putting the go-ahead run on second base. Krahulec was able to strike out the batter to earn a bounceback win entering the midweek.
The win snaps a run of five straight losses in conference.
Juniata returns to action with a trip to Susquehanna on Wednesday at 3:30 pm.