Hornets
| 04/09/26 @ Curwensville | 5 |
| 04/07/26 vs West Branch | 15 |
| 04/02/26 @ Southern Huntingdon County | 3 |
| 03/31/26 vs Moshannon Valley | 10 |
Juniata Valley has won six straight games at home (dating back to last season), while Huntingdon has won six straight on the road, but those streaks won't matter much on Monday. The Hornets will welcome the Bearcats at 4:30 p.m. Juniata Valley is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.6 runs per game this season.
On Thursday, Juniata Valley didn't have quite enough to beat Curwensville and fell 6-5.
Bethany Devore was huge no matter where she played even without the win. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over six innings while giving up just two earned (and four unearned) runs off seven hits (and only one walk). Devore was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI. That double was her first of the season.
Devore wasn't the only one making solid contact as six players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Kelsey Ersek, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base and one run. That stolen base marked the first that Ersek has snagged this season. Gracie Smith was another, going 1-for-2 with one run and one RBI.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Huntingdon). They blew past Greater Johnstown 21-2 on Friday. The Bearcats might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won four contests by six runs or more this season.
Like Juniata Valley, Huntingdon also got a great game from a two-way player: Alivia Nicklow. On the mound, Nicklow struck out six batters over two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and not a single walk). Meanwhile, Kendyl Wilson pitched three innings while giving up just two earned runs off two hits. Nicklow has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances. At bat, Nicklow went 2-for-3 with three RBI and one double, while Wilson got on base in three of her five plate appearances with three runs and one RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Izzy Kazmarski, who got on base in four of her five plate appearances with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. Those two runs gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Charlotte Kyle, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with three runs and two RBI.
Huntingdon always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .689. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Juniata Valley's loss was their first in the conference, dropping their conference record down to 2-1 and their overall record down to 3-2. As for Huntingdon, their victory bumped their record up to 6-2.
Monday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Juniata Valley hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .313. However, it's not like Huntingdon struggles in that department as they've averaged .402. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Juniata Valley couldn't quite get it done against Huntingdon in their previous matchup back in April of 2025 as they fell 4-1. Will the Hornets have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more softball content.
