Sentinel photo by BOB HOCKENBROCK Juniata left-handed batter Addison Rutherford lays down a bunt that went foul.

MIFFLINTOWN — On Wednesday, the Juniata softball team was looking to get itself in the win column as it hosted Tri-Valley League foe Line Mountain.

Juniata’s relief pitcher Destiny Yohn shined striking out seven in just three innings in the circle in a tough battle with the Eagles.

“She looked great. Probably stayed with Kalynn a little long,” said Juniata coach Craig Bubb. “I wanted to see how she would react to some stuff early in the season. We got to get these guys innings, and, you know, we’re going into a stretch where we got seven games in two weeks. So, I want to get these guys some work, and, you know, even though we didn’t really help her out defensively.”

It would be a tough night offensively for the Indians as the Eagles took home the win, 8-1.

Picking up the win was Line Mountain hurler Mady Grindstaff, taking the loss for the Indians was Kaylnn Brown.

In the first inning, the Lady Eagles scored first in the opening at-bats.

With two outs, Mady Grindstaff kept the inning going on a walk. She advanced to third as the throw was high trying to catch her stealing second.

She then scored on a Koera Leitzel RBI single.

But the Lady Indians tied things in the bottom of the inning Alexi Deppen walked and scored on a double by Sophie Smith, tying it at one as both teams headed into the second.

In the second, the Lady Eagles bats were alive, manufacturing its second run of the game.

Tenleigh Teter doubled with two outs. She later scored on an Ellie Motter single into centerfield.

After holding the Lady Indians’ bats silent in the second, Line Mountain added three more to its lead.

Sophie Ulrich reached on a Juniata miscue. She tried to steal second and reached on another error at second.

She moved to third on a single to left by Grindstaff.

Both scored on a smashing double deep into left by Leitzel, upping the lead to 4-1. Leitzel later scored on an RBI groundout by Paytan Snyder, making it a 5-1 game going into the bottom of the third.

Juniata threatened in the bottom of the inning as Deppen walked and Destiny Yohn singling, putting runners on the corners. However, Line Mountain got the out they needed to end the threat.

Things continued to roll for the Lady Eagles in the fourth as well, posting

three more as things headed into the fifth inning.

Kenzie Whittaker bounced into a fielder’s choice. She stole second and scored on a double to the left field corner by Sophie Ulrich.

Ulrich’s time on base was a short one when teammate Grindstaff doubled her in. She later scored to extend the Line Mountain lead to 8-1.

In the fifth, Juniata coach Craig Bubb went to his bullpen and brought out reliever Destiny Yohn. Yohn came out firing, striking the first three out of the batters she faced, keeping Line Mountain from adding to its lead.

Yohn kept the Lady Eagles bats quiet in the sixth, adding two more strikeouts.

She did the same in the seventh, finishing with seven strikeouts, no runs and a hit in relief.

But the night belonged to Line Mountain as they held on for the 8-1 victory.

Line Mountain 8, Juniata 1

LM 113 300 0 – 8 10 0

JU 100 000 – 1 3 3

WP: Mady Grindstaff

LP: Kaylnn Brown

Multiple Hitters: LM – Mady Grindstaff 2-for-2 3runs, Koera Leitzel 2-for-4 3RBIs, run, Ellie Motter 2-for-4 RBI. JU – None.

HR: LM – None. JU – None.

3B: LM – None. JU – None.

2B: LM – Ulrich, Grindstaff . JU – S. Smith.