Eagles Split in Home Opener to Bearcats
HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata softball team split results on the day against nonconference opponent Saint Vincent, winning game one 7-2 before a six-run third inning in game two led to an 8-3 defeat.
Alison Superka was a triple shy of the cycle as she went three-for-four with three RBIs, her second home run of the season, and a double. Reagan Goldsmith (3-for-3, 1 2B), Cate Baran (2-for-4, 1 2B), Alex Douglass (2-for-4), and Jessie Hunt (2-for-3, 1 2B, 1 BB) also had multi-hit games.
Baran followed up her one-hitter against Shenandoah a day ago with a three-inning start that saw three hits and one earned run, while Isabella Countryman wrapped up the game with four innings, five hits, an earned run, and two strikeouts.
On the basepaths, Goldsmith swiped a pair of bases while Douglass and Baran stole one.
Baran put the side down in order to start, then opened the first with a double. A one-out Hunt double scored her followed by a Superka single. Saint got a groundout, but an Emily Eutsey single got one more run across before the end of the inning.
With two outs, the Bearcats strung together a single and double to left to get one run back before a flyout ended the inning. Goldsmith's leadoff double saw her swiftly steal third and then make it home on a throwing error by the catcher. Baran and Douglass each reached then stole second to get runners to second and third before a flyout ended the second.
Each side managed a single in the third, then Saint Vincent made it a 3-2 game in the top of the fourth with a sequence of three-straight singles. Superka struck in the bottom of the fourth with her three-run shot to left field following inning-opening singles from Baran and Hunt. Juniata put one more run on the board in the fifth inning following another sequence of a Goldsmith hit and a steal. Douglass used a bunt single to score her from third with two outs.
Countryman didn't let a runner aboard in the final two frames for a 7-2 final score.
Six runs in the second for the Bearcats in game two was a large enough cushion as they won 8-3.
Superka again went 3-for-4, this time with three singles. Claire Thomas (2-for-4, 1 2B) and Jessie Hunt (2-for-4, 1 RBI) also had multi-hit games, while Douglass and Kay Magill swiped a bag each.
Gracie Ruch was the third Juniata player to step in the circle, and saw was able to keep Juniata out of the run-rule zone with five and two-thirds innings, one earned run, a walk, and two strikeouts.
Neither side made it farther than first in the first inning, then a five-hit sequence with a Juniata error, and a fielder's choice in the middle saw Saint Vincent post six runs on the board. They managed three extra-base hits in the inning. Thomas got aboard with a one-out double, and Magill walked with two outs before a fielder's choice ended the second.
Saint Vincent went down in order in the third, then Juniata got on the board in the bottom half. Goldsmith doubled to right to open the inning, then was out at the plate trying to score from third on an infield ground ball. Douglass got aboard on the fielder's choice and stole second. A Hunt single to right, then scored one. Superka singled to get runners to the corners before a groundout ended the inning.
Saint Vincent got their final two runs after the first two hitters flew out and grounded out. A single-steal combo was followed by a double to score one, then an infield error let the second runner cross. Juniata manged just one single in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, while Ruch escaped two multi-runner jams in the fifth and sixth.
Seven runs down, Juniata were able to get two runs back in the bottom of the seventh for an 8-3 final score. Baran opened with a doubled, then Hunt singled with one out to get runners on the corners. A Superka single scored one, then a Thomas single loaded the bases. Ruthie Betts scored one on an infield fielder's choice play, then a groundout ended the contest.
Superka ended the day 6-for-8 with four RBIs, a homer, and double.
The Eagles return to West End Field on Saturday for an opening Landmark Conference doubleheader against Elizabethtown. First pitch of game one is slated for 1:00 pm. The Eagles swept the Blue Jays last season in Elizabethtown.