Softball Edged Out by Scranton

HUNTINGDON, PA- The Juniata softball team hosted Scranton in a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at West End Field. The Royals had two big innings in each game to sweep the Eagles. Scranton improves its record to 9-6 overall and 3-1 in the Landmark Conference. Juniata drops to 6-18 overall and 2-6 in the Landmark.

Scranton won Game 1 8-1 buoyed by a six-run fourth inning. The Royals put up 10 hits while the Eagles were held to three. Katie Schroeder (Kempton, PA/Kutztown) went 1-for-3 with a triple. Paige Dennison (East Berlin, PA/Bermudian Springs) hit 1-for-2 with a run scored and a stolen base.

The Royals took Game 2 16-7 and pulled ahead with an eight-run sixth inning. Scranton scored once in the first inning on a Jacqueline DeSarro RBI double. The Eagles countered in the bottom half of the frame on Schroeder's solo home run to left center field.

JC took a one run lead in the bottom of the second. Kerigan Ammerman (Alexandria, PA/Juniata Valley) led off with a double to right center field. Lindsey Kosicki (Patton, PA/Cambria Heights) laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Ammerman to third base. Chrisi Lerchen (Annville, PA/Annville-Cleona) singled through the side of the field to bring Ammerman in and give the Eagles a 2-1 advantage.

The Royals scored seven runs in the third inning to go up 8-2. Juniata rallied with a five-run fifth inning. Schroeder reached on an error. Dennison fouled out to the catcher. Alicia Regnault (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater Raritan) hit a double through a gap in the left side to move Schroeder to third. Holly Bettinger (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin) struck out swinging. Ammerman's single then scored Schroeder. Kosicki was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Lerchen followed with a two run single to plate Regnault and Ammerman. Lerchen stole second and scored along with Kosicki to make it an 8-7 game and bring the Eagles back.

Scranton put an end to JC's hopes for a comeback with their eight-run sixth. All eight runs scored before an out was recorded.

Regnault finished 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a run scored. Ammerman was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Lerchen was 2-for-3 a run scored and three RBIs. Ridenour hit 2-for-3 with a double and a season-high two RBIs.

The Eagles travel to Mount Aloysius for two games on Tuesday. The first game begins at 3 p.m. with the second following at 5 p.m.