The Juniata Indians will head out on the road to take on the Upper Dauphin Area Trojans at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Juniata has given up an average of 7.7 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Juniata came into their game on Wednesday off a hard-fought close win, but unfortunately suffered a serious change of fortune. They lost 12-1 to Halifax. Having soared to a lofty 14 runs in the game before, the Indians couldn't push the score so high this time.
Juniata saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Caleb Auker, who went 2-for-3 with one double and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Upper Dauphin Area got the win against Greenwood on Monday by a conclusive 7-1. The victory continues a trend for the Trojans in their matchups with the Wildcats: they've now won three in a row.
Upper Dauphin Area got a massive performance out of Colt Bellis, who went 3-for-4 with one home run, three RBI, and one double. Bellis is becoming a predictor of the Trojans' success: when he posts at least three hits the team is 2-1 (and 5-8 when he doesn't). Isaac Jackson was another key player, going 2-for-3 with one home run, two stolen bases, and two runs.
Upper Dauphin Area lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. That's the most home runs they've posted since back in May of 2024.
Upper Dauphin Area's win bumped their record up to 7-9. As for Juniata, their loss dropped their record down to 7-7-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Juniata has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.3 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Upper Dauphin Area struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 6.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Juniata suffered a grim 13-5 defeat to Upper Dauphin Area when the teams last played two weeks ago. Can the Indians avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
