Courageous comeback attempt falls one run short for resilient MC11Us

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: July 26, 2020

By Kenny Varner

STRODES MILLS -Despite falling behind early to the Vikings Saturday afternoon 6-0, the MIfflin County Eagles 11Us forged back to tie the game in the fifth at seven.

However, the Vikings came back to take an 11-8 advantage.

In their last at bats, the Eagles sparked a 2-out rally that fell just one run short, falling 11-10.

But the Eagles showed that it wouldn’t give up no matter how far behind they got.

Leading the offense for MIfflin County was Jake Knable who finished with a 2-for-2 afternoon with three runs scored and an RBI.

Leadoff hitter Jude Zook finished with a 2-for-4 effort with a run scored and batted in.

Karl Shirey finished with two RBIs and a single.

Other teammates picking up hits were Jarren Kenny, Evan Breon and Thad Gerwich.

The team finished the day with nine hits.

For the Vikings, the team mounted 12 hits in the victory.

Leading the way were Brady Ryan with a 2-for-3 effort with one run and an RBI and Cale Shuey with a perfect 2-for-2 day at the plate.

The Vikings started off the game with an early 5-0 lead.

Defensively, the Vikings shut down the Eagles in the first.

In the top of the second, the Vikings added a run to add an early insurance run for their team.

But the Eagles started to chip away in the bottom of the inning, getting a run across the plate.

Knable opened things with a single to shallow left.

He stole second and later moved to third on a balk call, setting the stage for Kenny.

Kenny sent a blast into center that bounced over the fence for the RBI ground rule double.

MIfflin County’s defense shut down the Vikings in the third.

The Vikings returned the favor in the bottom of the inning.

Grady Strubba scored for the Bikings in the fourth, upping the lead to 7-1.

Down but not out, MIfflin County sizzled are the plate in the bottom of the fourth, scoring six runs in the inning, tying the game going into the fifth.

Breon walked to start things off and stole second, third and scored on an error.

Knable followed with a walk of his own.

Brayden Benfer reached base when he took one for the team and was hit by a pitch.

Kenny’s walk loaded the bases.

Collen Busch picked up an RBI, walking with the bases loaded, scoring Breon.

Zook singled to bring home Knable.

Carson Cherry picked up an RBI walk, tying things at seven.

Both teams added a run in the fifth to send the game into its final at bats, stalemated at eight.

The Vikings came out hitting in the sixth, posting five hits and scoring three more runs, sending MIfflin County to its last at bats trailing 11-8.

In the last stanza for the Eagles, Gerwick was clutch under pressure as he singled to keep things alive.

Shirey walked while Breon loaded the bases with a infield single.

Knable plated Gerwick on an RBI walk.