(Posted April 28, 2005)

Juniata 1, Widener 0 (8 innings)
Juniata 2, Widener 1

Huntingdon, Pa. ? Juniata got stellar pitching performances in both games of its doubleheader with visiting Widener University, helping it to pick up a pair of close conference wins, 1-0 and 2-1, Thursday afternoon. The wins boost Juniata?s record to 5-7 in the Commonwealth Conference and 15-15-1 overall. The wins also kept Juniata alive for a berth in the Commonwealth postseason.

In the first game, freshman Kim Stoia (Morris Hills/Rockaway, NJ) pitched all eight frames of Juniata?s extra inning, 1-0 win. She struck out three and allowed just four hits to pick up her sixth win of the season.

With the game scoreless in the bottom of the eighth, Danielle Buzin (Central Bucks East/Jamison) crushed a one-out double. Leann Leymeister (Blue Mountain/Orwigsburg) then moved her to third with a single. With runners on the corners, Widener?s Amanda Reigel threw a wild pitch, scoring Buzin from third and giving Juniata the game one win.

Juniata threatened several times in the game, leaving two runners on base on three separate occasions. But each time, Reigel somehow managed to work her way out of the jam. Reigel struck out six and held Juniata scoreless until her wild pitch cost Widener the game.

Renae Hobbs (Mount Union/Mount Union) and Jen Piston (Central Bucks East/Jamison) each had a pair of hits for the Eagles in the victory.

In game two of the twin bill, Lizzie Bartosik (Penn/Granger, In.) and Hobbs combined to pitch a three-hit, one-run effort to complete Juniata?s sweep of Widener.

Juniata jumped on top early, scoring a run in the second inning. Abby Sener (Donogal/Marietta) led off the inning with a double. Three batters later, Sener would score when Amanda Albanese (North Hunterdon/Clinton, NJ) smacked a flyball to center that Widener?s Mollie Ahern couldn?t handle, which led to an unearned run.

The Pioneers would answer in the fifth with a run of their own. With a runner on second, Mallory Meyer hit a RBI double to tie the game, 1-1.

The game appeared to be heading to extra innings again, but another Widener fielding miscue allowed Juniata to take the lead.

Julie Hatfield (Southern Cayuga/Scipio Center, N.Y), who reached base during all three of her plate appearances, drew a walk from Meyer to start the inning. Alison D?Ambrosia (State College/Boalsburg) then bunted her over to second. Two batters later, Sener hit a grounder to Meyer, who threw wide to first, allowing Sener to reach safely and Hatfield to score what would prove to be the game winning run.

Hobbs relieved Bartosik after five solid innings and blanked Widener in the sixth and seventh innings to close out the win.

Juniata will wrap up its season on Saturday afternoon when they host conference opponent Susquehanna. Opening pitch is slated for 2:00 p.m.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.