PHOTO GALLERY
The SVC softball team earned a pair of non-conference wins, sweeping Juniata College in a twinbill, by scores of 3-0 and 7-6.
Celia Knappenberger improved to 4-1 on the season with a 5-hit shutout performance in the circle.
The Bearcats scored all three of their runs in the second inning.
Sydney Gurneal lead off with an infield single, then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Knappenberger. After
Shae Robson walked,
Riley Assalone doubled to center, scoring Gurneal.
Kelly Flaherty followed with an RBI single, driving home Robson and moving Assalone to third.
Johnna Karas brought home Assalone with a sacrifice fly.
It would be more than enough for Knappenberger, who walked one and struck out eight to earn the win.
In game two, the Eagles scored a pair of runs in the top of the first off SVC starter
Riley Assalone.
SVC trailed 2-0 going into the bottom of the fourth, when
Alona Sleith singled with one out. She was erased at second on a fielder's choice when Gurneal grounded out. With two outs, Robson hit a grounder to short that was misplayed, keeping the inning alive and putting two runners on. Flaherty then singled home a run, and
Erica Smiley followed with a single that drove home Robson and moved Flaherty to third. Smiley alertly took second on the throw home. Knappenberger, pinch hitting, singled home Flaherty and moved Smiley to third.
Karas followed with an RBI double to left that plated Smiley, but Knappenberger was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first, leaving the score at 4-2.
The visitors got a run back in the top of the 5th, taking advantage of a couple of hits and an error, to cut the Bearcat lead to one.
In the bottom of the fifth, Sleith was hit by a pitch with two outs, and Gurneal followed with a single. The ball was juggled by the right fielder, allowing both runners to move up a base. Robson singled home both runners, making it a 6-3 game in favor of the Bearcats.
However, the Eagles came back in the top of the 6th with three hits, including a pair of doubles, to tie the game, 6-6 against reliever
Erica Smiley.
In the bottom of the inning, Knappenberger singled with one out, and moved to second when the center fielder bobbled the ball. Karas grounded out, moving the runner to third, and
Kelsey Tobin singled home the run to put SVC in front, 7-6.
Knappenberger then came in to pitch the 7th and worked a 1-2-3 inning for the save.
The Bearcats are now 9-5 on the season.