HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Susquehanna University softball team finally got their 2021 season underway after 380 days since their last competition. Susquehanna (1-1, 1-1 LC) split its Landmark Conference and season-opening doubleheader at Juniata College (1-5, 1-5 LC). Juniata used extra innings to claim a 9-8 come-from-behind victory in the first game before the River Hawks held on for an 8-6 win in the nightcap.
 
GAME 1
How It Happened
Juniata opened up the game with four runs in the bottom of the first inning highlighted by first-year infielder Caleigh Love's two-RBI single to right center and senior infielder Maggie Peck stealing home.
 
The Eagles' 4-0 lead held until the top of the fifth inning when Susquehanna responded with seven runs, capitalizing on six hits and two Juniata errors. Sophomore infielder Ashley Warner (Bloomsbury, N.J./Phillipsburg) connected on a two-RBI double while senior designated hitter Brittany Hebda (Kingston, Pa./Holy Redeemer) hit a two-RBI single to help the River Hawks post a 7-4 lead.
 
Juniata came back with three runs in the sixth to knot the game up at 7-7. First-year infielder Alison Superka led off the inning with a solo shot and the Eagles scored two more on a pair of SU errors.
 
Each side scored a run in the seventh to force an extra inning.
 
After senior outfielder Kody Streeter (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) led off the eighth for the River Hawks with a single and then stole second, first-year Cate Baran retired the side in order.
 
First-year designated hitter Alaney Vereshack led off the eighth for Juniata with a single and then went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Vereshack scored the game-winning run on a walk-off error.
 
Inside the Box Score
Susquehanna tallied eight runs on nine hits, including three doubles, while committing three errors.
 
Juniata was the opposite, scoring nine runs on eight hits, including a double and a home run, while making four errors. The Eagles also stole three bases but left seven on base.
 
Top Performers
Senior infielder Madison Lane (Havertown, Pa./Haverford), Hebda, and Streeter all had two hits for the River Hawks while junior catcher Katie Koch (West Milton, Pa./Lewisburg Area) scored two runs. Warner and Hebda each drove in two runs. Junior pitcher Katie Murphy (Havre de Grace, Md./C. Milton Wright) suffered the loss in the pitching circle as Murphy (0-1) gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits in 2.1 innings of relief with three strikeouts, one walk, and one hit batter.
 
Love led the Eagles offensively with a 3-for-4 effort and three RBI. Baran (1-2) earned the win with 3.2 innings of relief, giving up three runs (two earned) on three hits and striking out four with one walk.
 
GAME 2
How It Happened
Susquehanna got on the board early and often with five runs in the top of the first inning as the River Hawks loaded the bases five times.
 
The Eagles cut the deficit to 5-1 in the bottom of the second as Superka connected on her second lead-off home run of the afternoon. Juniata then picked up four runs in the fourth. Superka struck again with yet another lead-off homer and then first-year outfielder Reagan Goldsmith collected an RBI single to close the gap to 5-3. Junior Maya McLeod followed that up with a two-run double for a 5-5 draw.
 
Susquehanna broke the tie with three runs in the fifth behind a bases loaded RBI walk to Warner to score first-year outfielder Nicole Plesh (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central Regional), who had singled up the middle and then advanced two bases on consecutive singles. Junior infielder Kiara Bryant (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) then hit a two RBI single to right field to give the River Hawks an 8-5 lead.
 
The Eagles closed the gap to 8-6 in the sixth behind McLeod's RBI single to score Goldsmith, who had led off with a single and then stole second.
 
Junior Catherine Miller retired the SU side in order in the seventh to keep it a two-run game. Senior Gabby Bubba (Jefferson, N.J./Pope John XXIII) struck out the Eagles' first batter of the seventh before an error and a single had runners on first and second. Back-to-back ground outs ended the inning and Susquehanna held on for its first win of the season.
 
Inside the Box Score
Juniata and the River Hawks combined for 29 hits in the nightcap as the Eagles had 16 hits with two homers and two doubles. SU notched 13 hits and made two errors while Juniata committed three.
 
Top Performers
Junior infielder Erin Bean (Watchung, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional), Koch, Warner, and Bryant each finished with two runs while Bryant drove in three runs. Bubba (1-0) earned the win after 3.1 innings of relief, holding the Eagles to one run (earned) and scattering eight hits with four strikeouts.
 
Vereshack, Superka, and sophomore Madison Wrightstone led Juniata with three hits each while McLeod finished with three RBI. Sophomore Sarah White (0-1) took the loss following 4.1 innings of relief with three runs (all earned) on seven hits.
 
Up Next for the River Hawks
Mar. 30 vs. Juniata (1-5, 1-5 LC) – Selinsgrove, Pa. / Sassafras Softball Field – 3:00 p.m. (DH)
 
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