Juniata County battles tough but falls late in D13 title tilt

By rscaife
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Updated: July 11, 2018

BERWICK – They battled and went down swinging to the end.

The Juniata County Major League All-Stars fell behind by two going into the sixth inning and rallied back to pull the game within inches of tying the game.

However, a diving catch by Snyder County second baseman Caden Wolfley prevented a sure two-run hit by Juniata’s Grant Reinhold to end the threat and the game, giving Snyder County the 5-4 victory and the District 13 crown.

However, Juniata had a strong showing in the contest as its defense was able keep the Snyder County at bat for almost the entire contest.

Leading the way offensively for Juniata County were Reinhold who went 2-for-3 and Jack Hoffman who also went 2-for-3.

Snyder County also got a strong offensive putting from Wolfley as he went a perfect 3-for-3 along with a run scored.

Teammate Trevor Sheaffer who went 2-for-2 with 2RBIs.

Juniata County got off to a strong start.

Lead off hitter Casey Smith walked and scored when Seth Laub hustled out a miscue by the shortstop that went above the first baseman. Smith scored on the same play when he went for third and the ball was once again overthrown and it rolled out of bounds, giving both runners the next base.

Laub stole third and then scored on a sacrifice by Reinhold, making it 2-0.

Juniata’s Carson Kepner went to the mound against Garrett Leitzel.

Kepner kept Snyder County scoreless in the bottom of the inning.

Leitzel was just as successful in the top of the second.

Snyder County scored its first run in the bottom of the second.

Cole Shutt led off the inning with a single down the first baseline.

He moved over to third on a single by Sheaffer.

He then scored to cut the deficit by one on a RBI fielders choice by Aiden Everly, making it 2-1.

The kids from Snyder County tied the game in the third after Wolfley singled and worked his way to third before being brought in by Colby Brower’s single.

The fourth inning provided no runs for either team, adding to the intensity of the contest.

Juniata County got back on the board as Laub would walk and move across the bases and finally score via a wild pitch.

But the 3-2 lead was not enough for the visitors as Snyder County managed to plate three to go into the final stanza, leading 5-3.

Try as the did, things started off well for Juniata County in their last at bats.

With one out, Kepner doubled as he blasted a shot down the left field line.

Teammate Kolton Martin walked but was forced out when Smith grounded into a fielders choice.

Laub blasted an RBI single, scoring Kepner and put Smith on third.

Reinhold stepped up to the plate a labeled a shot that was stolen out of the air by Wolfley, ending the game.

However, Juniata County ended up as District 13 runner up, something that was well earned as they were just one run from the champions.