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Juniata hangs tough for five before falling to UDA

By Kenny Varner

COCOLAMUS – Juniata got some good news Monday night, despite falling to Upper Dauphin.

Pitcher Jamie Bailer took to the mound after a lengthy absence and held his own.

Juniata hung with the Trojans for five innings before the visitors scored five unanswered runs late, losing 9-4.

With the torrential downpours over the weekend, the game was moved from Mifflintown to the East Juniata baseball complex.

Upper Dauphin’s Zach Smeltz picked up the win while Will Orwig took the loss.

Juniata got multiple hits from Jamie Bailer( 2-for-3 2runs)and Jacob Condo (2-for-4).

Upper Dauphin got strong offensive showings by Patrick Bateman (2-for-5 RBI, Run), Sam Kerwin (3-for-5 4RBI) and Madison Grow (2-for-3).

“We hung with them for a while but then they started hitting the dink’s and bloopers and that’s been the story of our year,” said Juniata coach Nick Beward. “We can’t control that. Overall, it was the first time Bailer took the mound all year. He was able to pitch out of a jam in the second and that was enough for him. Will came in and kept it close for us. Then Devon (Nealman)  and kept it close for us but they kept finding the holes tonight.”

Upper Dauphin started off the scoring starting in the top of the first.

Patrick Bateman led off the game with a single to right.

Teammate Nate Wise joined Bateman on the base paths with a walk.

Carson Burge loaded the bases as he also reached on a base-on-balls, loading the bases.

With one out, Sam Kerwin singled in Bateman and Wise, making it 2-0.

Juniata’s defense stiffened and held the Trojans without anymore in the inning.

Smeltz kept the Indians at bay inthe bottom of the inning.

After a scoreless second inning on both sides, the third inning belonged to the Indians.

Bailer led off the inning with a singled back through the middle. He was doubled in by Devon Nealman. Nealman moved up to third via a single by Jacob Condo.

With one out, Nealman scored on a fielders choice by Mason Drukenmiller, tying the game at two.

But the tie would only be minutes long as Upper Dauphin plated two more in the top of the fourth.

Aaron Troutman led off the inning with a walk and was replaced on the base paths by pinch runner Jake Ramberger.

Chase Bond reaches on an Juniata error.

Bateman singled in Ramberger on a single to left field.

Troutman scored on a sacrifice fly by Nate Wise.

The young Indians battled back in the bottom of the inning, plating two more to tie the game once again.

Paul Ames opened the inning off with a walk. He moved to third on a single by Bailer.

A muffed pick-off play by the Trojans went the way of the Indians as Ames scored when the throw got behind the first baseman. Bailer moved up a two bases on the miscue.

Bailer later scored on a wild pitch, tying it at four.

However, the Trojans started to heat up at the plate scoring one run in the fifth and two each in the sixth and seventh en route to the victory.

“We kept it close but couldn’t come up with the clutch hits when needed,” said Beward. “We walked eight batters this evening, which isn’t going to win any games.”

Upper Dauphin 9, Juniata 4

UDA 200 212 2 – 9 12 0

JUN 002 200 0 – 4  6 3

WP: Zach Smeltz

LP: Will Orwig

Multiple hitters: UDA – Patrick Bateman 2-for-5 RBI, Run , Sam Kerwin 3-for-5 4RBI, Madison Grow 2-for-3. Juniata – Jamie Bailer 2-for-3 2runs Jacob Condo 2-for-4.

HR: None.

3B: UDA – None. Juniata – Condo.

2B: UDA – Tyler Cleveland. Juniata – Devon Nealman.

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