UNIVERSITY PARK — On Saturday, the East Juniata Tigers made a trek to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on the Penn State campus to compete in the Annual Happy Valley Hardball Classic.

They faced fellow Tri-Valley League foe Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy.

Despite an early comeback attempt that saw East Juniata battle back from a 6-1 deficit to come within a run of tying the contest, the result was the same for the Tigers as it has for much of the current season.

The Tigers showed their grit and determination early on, but they let a potential win slip from their grasp. On Saturday, the Wolfpack scored nine runs in their final two at-bats to take home the 15-5 Tri-Valley League victory. The game was called after five innings due to the 10-run rule.

Offensively, the Tigers (0-4, 0-3 Tri-Valley League) were led by lead-off hitter and sparkplug Trent Price, who went a perfect 3-for-3, scored three runs and even picked up an RBI.

“They kept fighting. The energy was there. I loved it,” said East Juniata head coach Mark Barge. “I love this game.”

Barge was pleased with the night he got from Price.

“Yep, he was three for three,” Barge said. “It was an awesome game for him today. A lot of guys came out, as the bats came out. A lot of guys started out swinging today.”

Price started off the game swatting a double to get the game off and running. He stole third and scored on a wild pitch.

Starting pitcher Kelton Bonnell sent the Wolfpack (4-4, TVL 3-4) down in order.

In the second, starting St. Joes hurler Caleb Fortack, who notched the victory, blanked the Tigers in the second then watched St. Joe’s go to work.

The Wolfpack battled back to take the lead in the second, posting six runs. Haden Lingle opened the inning posting a single to left field. Joey Gearhart then reached as he was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second.

With one out, Will Balazik singled and advanced on a Tigers’ miscue as both Lingle and Gearhart scored. Taylor Gigante kept the inning going as he was hit as well. Balazik added to his team’s lead as he scored on a wild pitch. With Gigante sitting at third, Max Jennings singled him in.

Jennings’ time on base was limited as he scored on a Braeden Miller RBI single to left field. CJ Grove ended the inning scoring as he hit an RBI single scoring Miller, making it a 6-1 lead.

In the third, East Juniata chipped away at the Wolfpack lead thanks to a lead-off double by Price. He stole third and later scored.

East Juniata was back at it in the fourth. The Tigers’ rally started as Nathan Carolus was hit by a pitch to Nathan Carolus. He moved up to third on a double by Ian Druckemiller. Meyer Ramsey then picked up an RBI on a sacrifice.

With two out, Price notched an RBI as he blasted a triple to cut the lead to 6-4. Austin Shearer brought East Juniata within a run of tying the contest as he rapped an RBI single, making it a 6-5 contest.

But the Wolfpack answered by posting two runs in the bottom of the fourth and added seven more in the fifth to end the contest.

East Juniata will be back in action today by hosting Line Mountain.

In the opener, Central Mountain rallied to beat State College 6-5 in eight innings.

Happy Valley Hardball Classic

St. Joseph’s Catholic 15, East Juniata 5 (5 innings)

EJ 101 30x x – 5 5 3

SJ 060 27x x -15 9 5

WP: Caleb Fortack

LP: Kelton Bonnell

Multiple hitters: EJ – Trent Price 3-for-3 3 runs, RBI. SJ – Braeden Miller 2-for-3, 3runs 2 RBIs, CJ Grove 2-for-4, 3 RBIs, Haden Lingle 2-for-3 2 runs, RBI.

HR: EJ – None. SJ – None

3B: EJ – T.Price. SJ – Joey Gearhart.

2B: EJ – T Price. SJ – None.