Huskies and Bald Eagles battle to extras in season ending thriller

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: May 14, 2024

By Kenny Varner

LEWISTOWN- Post season fever starts early.

In their final warm ups before the post season, defending D6 champions met up in a regular season with the softball team traveled to MIfflin County.

In the final tune up before the District playoffs, the two battled on the diamond with all drama of a championship game.

After Monday’s game was cancelled due bad field conditions the day before, the two were finally able to get to it.

Though the game didn’t matter for seeding, the two teams didn’t want to hear that as they played a post-season type contest that wouldn’t be decided until the game became an extra inning affair.

In the end, the Huskies would win in walk off fashion 3-2 in eight innings.

“First off, they (Bald Eagle) are a good team. They are one of the best coached teams in the state. You can’t argue that,” said Mifflin County coach Craig Weston. “Anytime you compete with or let alone beat them it’s quite an accomplishment.”

The Eagles started off the inning as added a run as Sydney Thompson scored on a Taylor Habovick single take the go up a run in dramatic fashion.

But the Huskies followed suit rallying for one as well in the eighth. But MIfflin County wasn’t done yet.

In the eighth, the Huskies Riley Hine was hit by a pitch and later scored on an Eagles miscue, making it a 3-3 stalemate.

The drama continued as Dakota Hershberger followed with a single.

Jalee Bodtorf was hit for the second time, putting runners on first and second.

Alexis O’Brien put down a text book sacrifice bunt, moving over the runners.

Ava Baker was intentionally walked, loading the bases for Mifflin County.

Alaina Sharp won the game in walk off fashion, winning the game on a walk.

Sierra Albright was in the circle for Bald Eagle while Mifflin County countered with first year starter Piper Specht.

Despite the loss, Albright tallied 12 strike outs and allowed only four hits.

Specht scattered 10 hits but was able to get the outs needed for the victory.

Both hurlers had their pitches working early and often.

“We hit the ball hard and right at them. But it’s how this game is. They are a good team. They play in a dry competitive league,” said Bald Eagle coach Don Lucas. “It’s just one of those things where for us is that we didn’t use the opportunities that were presented to us and capitalize.”

In the first, the Eagles threatened.

Kailey Eckert hit a very slow grounder down first that she out ran the throw. Eckert moved up to consecutive bases on fielders’ choices, landing at third.

But the Huskies held tight, getting out the inning unscathed.

Albright started strong striking out the first two batters in a 1-2-3 first for MIfflin County.

Specht and company returned the favor in the second, sending the Lady Eagles down in order.

Ava Baker got the second going roping a smash into left. She was replaced by courtesy runner Addelyn Thornburg.

However, Albright finished off the inning posting strike out number four.

Eckert got the third started with a single to right field. She then stole second all with two outs.

Addisyn Burns joined Eckert on the base paths with a walk.

But both were stranded as the Huskies were able to shut things down.

Albright remained on the mark as she struck out the side in the third.

As both teams entered the fourth, both pitchers had their A-game going combining for only three hits.

Bald Eagle started to rally in the fourth, Sydney Thompson roped one to left. She later scored on a RBI single by Alexis Baney, putting the Eagles up 1-0.

The Huskies settled in and kept the damage to just a 1-0 advantage.

Dakota Hershberger doubled in the bottom of the inning but were unable to push her home.

The Eagles picked up where they left off in the fourth.

Alyssa King led off with a walk. She was followed by a single by Kendra Uberti.

King made it a 2-0 contest as she scored from third on a RBI fielders’ choice by Burns.

Albright continued to have her pitches working as she had anointed the 10-strike out mark after five complete.

As the game grew older, the conditions started to deteriorate.

Ava Stere added some runners for the Eagles in the sixth. She blasted a lead off stand up double.

Again, the Huskies defense came through in the clutch, keeping the contest as a 2-0 affair.

In the seventh, Mifflin County’s defense kept the deficit to two going into its last at bats.

Jalee Bodtorf was hit by a pitch to start the inning.

Teammate Baker also took one for the team, putting the potential tying run on base.