Juniata muscles out tough win over rival EJ
Apr 18, 2023

File photo
Juniata 7, East Juniata 6
MIFFLINTOWN — As expected when it comes to Juniata versus East Juniata. It went down to the very last out and it was Juniata who held off a late charging East Juniata to win, 7-6 on Monday.

Indians starting pitcher Carson Kepner looked to get himself a complete game performance but fell just short of that milestone leaving a runner on second after giving up a double to Kelton Bonnell which forced coach Treaster to call Jordan Dickinson to collect the save.

But that wasn’t the last time that Kepner’s presence was felt as later in the frame, Noah Poorman of East Juniata smacked a shot up the middle and it was Kepner who made a diving stop and found Bonnell running to home plate to tie up the game at seven apiece but Kepner managed to get the ball to catcher Seth Laub who applied the tag that ended the game.

According to Tigers head coach Justin Martin, he does not regret the decision to send Bonnell to home plate. And despite the loss, coach Martin was proud to see his team battle back after being down for the majority of the game.

The Indians and Tigers were tied at two apiece heading into the bottom half of the second inning when Juniata flexed its muscles and dropped five runs in the frame. The highlight of that inning came in the form of Dickinson who launched a titanic shot well over the right field fence for a two run homer.

Dickinson went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and scored twice in the game to go along with his save on the mound.

Kepner looked unhittable for most of the game but fell into trouble in the top of the six inning where the Tigers added on four more runs to close the gap to 7-6.

Kepner collected nine strikeouts and no walks.

Kolten Martin got the call to take the mound and pitched the first one and two-third innings before being pulled for Owen Dressler. Martin had two strikeouts and two walks.

From the third inning onward, Dressler refused to allow a single run to come across home plate. Dressler had three strikeouts and walks each.

Juniata (4-6, 4-3) hosts Halifax while East Juniata (4-6, 3-4) travels to Newport. Both games are on Wednesday.

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