Johnston's Five-Hit Day Highlights Senior Day Split for Juniata Baseball

HUNTINGDON, Pa. — On Senior Day at Langdon-Goodale Field, Zach Johnston powered the Juniata College baseball team to a doubleheader split against Saint Vincent, totaling five hits across two games.

In the opener, Juniata exploded for a 9-6 win behind 15 hits. After a tough start that saw St. Vincent jump out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, Juniata responded quickly.

In the second inning, Chatram Persaud singled home Jace Irvin to get the Eagles on the board, and two batters later, Zach Johnston laced a two-run single to tie the game at 4-3. Johnston delivered again in the fourth with an RBI single to even the score at 4-4.

The Eagles broke things open in the sixth inning. Ricky Scott singled home Jacob Despot, and after a fielder's choice RBI from Connor Blough, Juniata piled on three more runs on a bases-loaded walk by Joey Woodrow, a single from Persaud, and an infield hit by Despot to stretch the lead to 9-4.

On the mound, senior Aidan Chermol earned his first win of the season, tossing six strong innings, allowing just two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out two. Devon Coldren and Landen Eichhorn combined to close out the win.

Johnston finished 4-for-5 with three RBIs and a stolen base to lead the offense. Persaud added three hits and two RBIs, while Scott and Woodrow each had multi-hit games.

In Game 2, despite racking up 20 hits, Juniata fell in a 26-14 slugfest.

Saint Vincent's offense erupted for 28 hits, scoring at least once in seven of nine innings. The Bearcats used a six-run first and an eight-run sixth to pull away, though Juniata kept battling throughout.

The Eagles plated four runs in the first inning, highlighted by an RBI double from Ricky Scott and a two-run homer from freshman Michael White, his first collegiate home run. Charlie Bakken later added a two-run double in the fifth, and Juniata scored four more in the seventh behind hits from Will Kinchington, Jordan Chui, and Joey Woodrow.

Johnston stayed hot, going 2-for-5 with a triple, an RBI, and two runs scored. Bakken posted a 3-for-4 game with two RBIs, while Woodrow collected two hits and two RBIs. Jackson Cunnane also doubled and drove in a run.

Despite the loss, the day was a celebration for Juniata's seniors: Derek Gehr, Joey Woodrow, Chatram Persaud, James Rhoads, Devon Coldren, Will Kinchington and Harrison Leister were all recognized pregame for their contributions to the program.