Juniata Shows Grit in Florida: Tough Losses Followed by Thrilling Comeback Win

Game 1: University of New England 2, Juniata 1

CLERMONT, Fla. — Juniata came up short in a tightly contested battle against the University of New England, falling 2-1 on Monday afternoon at Hancock Park.

The Eagles struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Alex Douglass singled and later scored on an RBI single from Eva Johnson, giving Juniata an early 1-0 lead.

UNE responded in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1-1. The Nor'easters pulled ahead in the fifth with a double to center field, driving in a go-ahead run.

Juniata's offense struggled to generate momentum after the first inning, managing just three hits for the game. Claire Thomas, Douglass, and Johnson each tallied a hit. Douglass also added a stolen base.

Gracie Ruch pitched a solid game despite the loss, going the distance with seven innings of work. She allowed five hits and two earned runs while striking out one.

Game 2: Milwaukee School of Engineering 2, Juniata 0

Juniata's offense couldn't find its rhythm in the second game of the day, as the Eagles were shut out 2-0 by the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

MSOE got on the board early with a two-run homer to center field in the bottom of the first, scoring one runner. That would be all the offense MSOE needed.

Juniata's best scoring chance came in the third inning when Eva Johnson and Morgan Brumbaugh singled, but the Eagles were unable to capitalize.

Isabella Countryman delivered a strong relief performance, pitching 5.2 scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out four.

Game 3: Juniata 7, Keene State 6

Juniata capped off a thrilling comeback with three runs in the seventh inning to defeat Keene State 7-6 on Tuesday at Hancock Park.

The Eagles struck first in the second inning when Skyler Howlett scored on a passed ball to give Juniata a 1-0 lead. Keene State responded in the third, tying the game after an RBI single.

Keene State surged ahead in the fifth, scoring three runs, highlighted by an RBI bunt single and a sacrifice fly to make it 4-1.

Juniata battled back in the sixth with a three-run rally. Alex Douglass delivered an RBI single, and Jessie Hunt followed with a clutch two-run single up the middle to knot the game at 4-4.

Keene State answered in the bottom half of the inning when a two-run double put the Owls back on top, 6-4.

The Eagles refused to go down quietly. In the seventh, Douglass came through again, driving in two runs with a single to right field to tie the game at 6-6. Moments later, Kay Magill knocked a go-ahead RBI single to right-center, scoring Alison Superka and putting Juniata in front for good.

Gracie Ruch earned the win in relief, pitching a scoreless sixth, while Maryn Swank recorded her first save of the season by closing out the seventh.

Douglass led the offense, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Magill and Hunt each added key RBIs in the late-game rally.