Nittany Valley 12s tops MIfflin County to secure visit to title tilt

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: June 23, 2023

By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – It was a battle of unbeatens battling for a spot in the District 5 12U Softball Championship game.

Mifflin County (2-0) traveled to Bellefonte’s Panik Field to battle Nittany Valley (2-0).

On a soggy, drizzling afternoon Nittany Valley sent Abby Herr to the mound while MIfflin County countered with Grayce Napikoski.

In the top of the first, Abby Herr struck out 2-of-3, sending MIfflin County down in order.

Sloan Moore got things started in the bottom of the inning, she walked. She stole second and third.

Teammates Harper Bair followed with a walk.

Moore scored on a steal home, giving her team the 1-0 advantage.

Masullo walked setting the stage for Abby Herr. Herr hit an infield hit, scoring Bair.

Ella Herr kept the rally going as she doubled into right field, picking up 2RBIs, increasing the Nittany Valley 4-0.

Emerson Holderman singled into shallow right to score, Herr.

Holderman upped the lead to 6-0, stealing home.

Mifflin County got off on the right foot, Sarah Erb opened with a walk.

She moved into scoring position as she stole second.

Lydia Parkes put her team on the board as she belted a double into right field gap, scoring Erb. Parkes proceeded to make her way to third via a stolen base.

She would not be stranded as she scored on an infield RBI single by Gracelyn Rider, cutting it to a 6-2 contest.

But hurler Abby Herr stopped the scoring run, notching strike out five to end the inning.

Nittany Valley showed its patience at the plate as Nora Brown and Grace Ammerman started their part of the second with walks.

Highlighting the inning was a 3RBI triple by Adrienne Masullo and a 2-RBI double by Lily Park.

Erb ended the Nittany Valley time at bay, clutching a laser shot by Brown.

When the dust settled in the second, Nittany Valley upped their lead to 14-2.

But the scrappy MIfflin County squad refused to go away with out a battle.

With one out, Avaleigh Haubert led off the third with a walk.

Emily Dickson followed with a walk of her own, putting runners on first and second.

Mifflin County loaded the bases.

But the Nittany Valley defense stood strong, keeping MIfflin County off the board.

But in the bottom of the inning, MIfflin Cointy’s defense stood tall, sending Nittany Valley down 1-2-3.

However, the night belonged to Nittany Valley as they were able to hold onto the 14-2 victory, sending them to the title game.

On a positive note, Mifflin County’s season is still very much alive as they head into the bottom half of the bracket with a chance to battle their way into a rematch.