EJ storms past St. Joe’s for first win
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COCOLAMUS -- There are several examples of one inning changing the outcome of a baseball game. And Thursday brought us exactly that as East Juniata zipped by St. Joe's, 9-3, in a Tri-Valley League baseball game on Thursday.
"It is a great start for the kids," Tigers coach Justin Martin said. "They needed to get that first win under their belts to get things rolling."
East Juniata got on the board first in the bottom of the third inning. The Tigers had the bases loaded with two outs when Kolten Martin drew a four-pitch walk that brought home Tate Jamison to put them up 1-0.
But, the Wolfpack managed to get out of the jam as starting pitcher Luke Duckworth caught Kelton Bonnell looking to end the inning.
St. Joe's responded in a big way as Spencer Gigante led off the frame with a massive triple to right field on a 2-2 pitch. Duckworth then came on and grounded out to first baseman Bonnell for the second out but scored Gigante to even the game at one apiece.
The Tigers took back the lead in the bottom half of the fifth starting with an RBI single to left that brought home Owen Yorks. Bonnell then reached first on an error at third base which allowed Kanagy to find his way home.
But, once again, the Wolfpack responded in the top of the sixth, taking advantage of East Juniata mishaps on the field. The first error came when Duckworth hit a fly ball to right field that was dropped and Nick Warner hustled his way down to score. Sam Krasowitz then reached by an error at third which moved Duckworth to home plate to tie the game at three.
But the Tigers finally got the bats going in the bottom of the sixth dropping six of their nine runs scored in the frame.
In fact, East Juniata had only four hits prior to the sixth inning and while in the sixth the Tigers had five hits.
"We definitely needed that inning. I expected it a little bit sooner but it just took the whole game to get there," Martin laughed. "Their first pitcher (Duckworth) did a great job. He kept us off balance and we kept hitting it to guys."
Owen Dressler went five and two third innings for East Juniata and collected eight strikeouts and zero walks. Dressler also had a SAC fly at the plate. Dressler was pleased to help the team get their first victory.
"I think I needed that more than anything today, especially after going up to Upper Dauphin the other day," Dressler said. "We needed that especially going into a three-game week next week. I'm glad we were able to get this one."
East Juniata (1-2) hosts Sugar Valley on Monday.
East Juniata 9, St. Joe's 3
St. Joe's 0-0-0-1-0-2-0--3-3-4
East Juniata 0-0-1-0-2-6-0--9-8-3
East Juniata: WP: Owen Yorks 1.1IP, K, Owen Dressler 5.2IP. 8K, 3H, 3R
St. Joe's: LP: Artie Welsh .2IP, K, BB, HBP, H5, R5, Luke Duckworth 3IP, 2K, 4BB, 2H, R, Nick Warner 2IP, K, 2BB, H, 2R, Spencer Giagante .1 IP,
St. Joe's (3): Warner 1-3 R SB, Spencer Gigante 1-3 3B K, Welsh 0-3 2K, Duckworth 0-3 2RBI K, Sam Krasowitz 0-3 RBI, Hayes Miller 1-3, Jackson Berry 0-2, Max Jennings 0-1, Rocco Gagante 0-3 K, Charlie Yartz 0-3 2K.
East Juniata (9): Clark Ritzman 1-5 R, Tate Jamison 2-3 BB, Wyatt Weges 0-0 2R, Yorks 1-1 2BB 2R SB, Dressler 0-4 RBI K SB, Aaron Kanagy 1-3 RBI BB 2R, Kolten Martin 1-2 2RBI 2BB R, Kelton Bonnell 2-4 3 RBI K, Louis Reisinger 1-4 RBI, Noah Poorman 0-3 2K.