Softball Stymied By Strong Pitching
(Posted March 25, 2007)
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Juniata College softball team could not find enough offense to keep pace with the 12th-ranked Moravian College softball team as the Eagles dropped both games of a Commonwealth Conference doubleheader Sunday afternoon. Juniata fell by a tight 4-1 score in game one, and then could not overcome an early offensive attack as they lost game two 7-0. In game one, Juniata (4-6, 0-2 Commonwealth) jumped in front early when Rachel Nagy (Nazareth/Nazareth) drilled a double to left center to push across a run in the top of the first inning. But the Eagles were unable to keep that momentum going as they managed just one hit the rest of the way and did not have more than one base runner in an inning until the seventh. Moravian (9-3, 2-0 Commonwealth) battled back to tie the score with an RBI single from Kelly Santry in the second, and then took the lead with an RBI single from Beth Paly in the third. The Greyhounds then added single runs in the fourth and sixth innings to claim the win. Juniata hurler Alyssa Erb (Hollidaysburg/Hollidaysburg) went the distance as she allowed four runs on eight hits over six innings. The freshman struck out five in the game. But Erb was out-dueled by Moravian starter Kristie Pellicani who surrendered just two hits and struck out nine to earn the complete-game win. Rachel Nagy had both of Juniata\'s hits in the game, while Santry and Jordan Oplinger both had a pair of hits for Moravian. In game two, Juniata allowed seven runs in the first two innings and was never able to recover as they dropped the 7-0 decision. The home team loaded the bases with no one out in the first and Sheri Bieniek then delivered a grand slam to quickly stake the Greyhounds to a 4-0 lead. Moravian added on three runs in the second with Lauren Homa bringing home the first run with a single and then Paly driving in another two with a single. Juniata starter Pam Mansell (Penns Valley/Centre Hall) settled in after the first two innings, as she held the Greyhounds scoreless the rest of the way. The sophomore was charged with the loss as she gave up six earned runs on seven hits over six innings. The Eagles managed to put a runner on base in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, but were unable to cut into the lead against Moravian hurler Maria DeBonis. She picked up the win by tossing scattering four hits over seven scoreless innings while striking out 12. Nagy again led the Juniata offense as she collected a pair of hits in game two. Homa and Paly each collected two hits for the Greyhounds. Juniata will try and get back in the win column on Monday when the Eagles play a non-conference doubleheader at Gettysburg. ###
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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.