WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Penn College hosted Juniata College in a baseball non-conference doubleheader Tuesday afternoon. The Wildcats fell to the Eagles in the first game, 6-0, and battled back in the second game, but couldn't hang on to close out the game, and dropped the decision, 6-5. Penn College now stands at 11-21 overall, 7-6 NEAC, while Juniata improved to 12-25 on the year.
In Game One,
Penn College allowed 3 runs through the first two innings. The Wildcats tried to rally the bats and get the offense going when
Richard Lennon singled to left field to start the fourth inning. He was followed by an
Ethan Ketterman walk and a
Brayden Lippert single to load the bases with 1 out. Penn College had runners in scoring position but was unable to bring any runners in to score.
After Penn College held the Eagles scoreless in the top of the fifth inning, the Wildcats again rallied to load the bases with two outs. But the Cats struggled to get on the scoreboard. Juniata added 3 runs in the sixth inning to win the first game 6-0.
Colton Riley led the Wildcats' offense with 2 of the teams' 6 hits.
Braden Smith (0-3) takes the loss on the mound for the Wildcats by allowing 7 hits, 3 runs and 3 walks.
In Game Two,
Trailing 0-3 in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Wildcats offense came alive.
Brittan Kittle reached on a third baseman error and then
Alex Flicker drew a walk.
Richard Lennon laid down a perfect bunt to advance the baserunners and load the bases.
Colton Riley hit a deep ball on a sacrifice fly to bring in a run to make the score 3-1. After an
Ethan Ketterman groundout,
Brayden Lippert singled to right field to bring in 2 RBIs and tie the score 3-3.
Penn College added a run in the fifth inning on a Kittle sacrifice fly to score
Clark Jackson and to take the lead 4-3.
Juniata made a late rally to add 3 runs in the top of seventh inning. Now, down 6-4, the Wildcats made one last stand to fight off the Eagles.
Jacob Carles singled to right field followed by a Kittle single to center field. With two runners on base, Lennon ripped a single to load the bases. Carles crossed the plate on a wild pitch to bring the deficit to one run. In the bottom of the seventh, down 1 run with 2 outs, Riley drills a shot into the gap of right center field. The ball hung in the air just a second too long and Juniata made a great play to seal the game and take the victory, 6-5.
Cody Nelson (3-3) gets the loss on the mound for the Wildcats by pitching 6.2 innings and giving up 6 runs (2 earned) on 10 hits with 8 strikeouts.
Penn College returns to Bowman field on Friday, May 3
rd, against NEAC foe SUNY Poly at 3:00pm.
