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By Quincy Piper
For the Mirror
MIFFLINTOWN -- Juniata kept its season alive as Alexa Kuhn sent two Indians home on a single in the home half of the 11th inning against Central Cambria to secure a 5-4 win Thursday in the District 6 Class 3A semifinals.
Central Cambria had a 4-3 lead after scoring three times in the top of the 11th frame. Lakelynn Campbell, Kathryn George and Cam Matlin each scored for the Red Devils.
But, with two on and two out in the bottom of the 11th, Kuhn delivered a hit Juniata won't soon forget. She plated Victoria Moore and Sophia Smith to end the game.
"Yeah, me and God definitely had a conversation when I was in the box there, but luckily I was able to put a bat on a ball and put us one step closer to our goal," Kuhn said about the walk-off base knock that capped off a four-run inning."
The game was scoreless for nine innings before the offensive outburst from both teams.
"Yeah, any game that goes 11 innings will definitely be an emotional roller coaster. But we were able to do what we needed to do. It was a good team win," Indians winning pitcher Liz Gaisior said.
Gaisior fanned an incredible 28 Red Devils in the extra-inning affair. She allowed one walk, four hits and four unearned runs.
"Yeah I'm definitely happy we were able to move on. This was a crazy game. Any game this time will be a fight. I feel like we need to play more calmly because we can't let our nerves get to us," Juniata coach Craig Bubb said.
For the Devils (15-7), the road playoff loss stings, especially after having two leads against the Indians.
"I mean I feel for our only senior," CC coach Stephen Ruddek said of Olivia Janosik. "She definitely became an emotional leader for us down the stretch. And to lose her final game in 11 innings definitely hurts. I won't lie to you. But there's definitely something to look forward to. All of our freshmen showed up when they needed to. You play to win obviously, but we have a lot to look forward to."
Central Cambria scored first in the 10th frame. Sophia Blasko came home on an error after walking and then swiping second base. Rowyn Ruddek also put down a bunt in the inning to help set up the run.
Juniata (22-1) responded in the home half of the 10th as Moore scored her first run of the afternoon.
Another RBI came from Juniata's Ashley Piper.
Juniata meets Forest Hills next Thursday for the district championship. The Lady Rangers beat Philipsburg-Osceola, 10-6, in the other semifinal game on Thursday.
CENTRAL CAMBRIA (4): Link 500, R. Ruddek 501, Scott 500, Blasko 511, Janosik 400, R. Ruddek 400, Matlin 411, George 311, Campbell 410. Totals: 39-4-4
JUNIATA (5): Gaisior 300, Lowrey 510, Frontz 503, Marshall 500, Armstrong 400, Moore 220, Smith 311, Kuhn 501, Piper 201, Lauver 100.Totals: 35-5-6
SCORE BY INNINGS
Central Cambria … …000 000 000 13 -- 4-3
Juniata……………… ….000 000 000 14 -- 5-6
RBI–Link, Ruddek 2, Kuhn 2, Piper, Frontz. WP–Gaisior. LP–R. Ruddek. SO–Gaisior 28, R.Ruddek 7. BB–Gaisior 1, R. Ruddek 4, Link 2.