MC softball wins 10-inning marathon contest versus CD

By rscaife
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Updated: May 3, 2014

LEWISTOWN – With all eyes on her, Mifflin County batter Allessa Morrison found herself in an envious position up with a runner on third and a chance to pick up the game winning hit.

After battling at the plate, Morrison came through in the clutch, bringing home teammate Tara Kibe to end a 10-inning stalemate and bring the Huskies home a hard fought 3-2 victory.

Shelby Lyter threw a 4-hitter in the victory while striking out nine and only walking one as she went the distance for the 9-2 Huskies.

Central Dauphin pitcher Amanda Himrighauser was almost as strong, scattering seven hits and striking out five as she went the entire 10 innings as well.

“These are exactly the kind of games we need to be playing right now. They are getting ready and thinking about the post season,” Mifflin County coach Jack McCurdy said. “I knew that this team would come after us. I knew they would have improved since the first time we played them. I think this was a well played game by both teams. Both pitchers did well.”

Mifflin County’s Hannah Ruby and teammate Olivia Riden both collected two hits during the contest going 2-for-3 and 2-for-4, respectively.

Ruby and Morrison were the only two on the Purple and White to pick up an RBI.

The Huskies picked up their first run in the bottom of the first.

After Lyter sent down the Rams down on strikes and in order in the first, the Mifflin County offense manufactured its first run.

With one out, Mara Rhodes lifted a double to centerfield to start the rally.

Ruby stepped up to the plate with two outs and sent a blistering shot into the outfield, allowing Rhodes to score.

Unfortunately for the Huskies, Ruby was called out trying to stretch a single into a double.

Central Dauphin seemed unphased and rallied for two runs in the top of the second, putting Mifflin County behind 2-1.

Using a little two-out lightning, the Rams got their inning going on a simple walk by Alex Cunkle.

Her stay at first lasted just one batter when Jessica Pluta advanced her to third as she roped a single into right field, putting runners on the corners.

Culp cleared the bases of the old runners as she sent a shot into center and taking the lead in the process.

After being held scoreless for the next three innings, the Huskies made the best of a bad situation – tying the game on a Rams error.

Jordan Shirey reached after the Rams right fielder bobbled and then dropped the ball, allowing her to reach second base.

Using her speed to her advantage she stole third and later sped on home- scoring on a wild pitch, tying the game at two.

Defensively both teams took over for the next five innings as neither team was able to plate another run.

In the bottom of the sixth Mifflin County thought they had taken back the lead as Rhodes blasted, what looked like to be a homerun over the left centerfield fence. However, the ball just went wide of the foul pole, keeping the game tied at two.

In the 10^th, Mifflin County held Central Dauphin off the scoreboard.

With a runner on second to start their portion of the 10th, Taylor McKay got Tara Kibe moved over to third laying down a picture perfect sacrifice bunt.

Morrison ended the game minutes later as she roped the game winning single, giving the Huskies the victory and an 8-1 Mid-Penn Commonwealth record.

Mifflin County will be back in action today as it travels to Philipsburg to play in the P-O tournament.