State College uses Strong sixth to win over MIfflin County

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: April 23, 2024

By Kenny Varner

LEWISTOWN- Looking for a little revenge from their first meeting of the year, the Mifflin County softball team welcomed rival State College to their home.

Early in the year, the Huskies fell to the veteran Little Lion team and were bent on tying the season series Monday.

Mifflin County found itself leading going into the sixth 4-3 but the Little Lions battled back to score six in the inning en route to a 9-5 victory.

Mifflin County had one players with multiple hits on the afternoon. Arika Henry was perfect at the plate going 2-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored.

State College had one as well with Gaby McTavish going 2-for-2 with 2RBI.

Picking up the win for the Little Lions was Addison Harpster.

Henry took the loss for the Huskies.

“It was a good game. Some part of this season has been like this, just one inning. But they battling at the end,” said Mifflin County coach Craig Weston said. “That’s a good team but we’ll come back ready to play.”

State College plated three runs in the top of the first.

After two walks to open the game, the Little Lions’ Tori Kroboth and Jess Hawbaker walked to put runners on first and second.

Sydney Wells bounced into a fielders choice allowing both Kroboth and Hawbaker to move up a base.

Harpster reached on a Huskies miscue. Kroboth scored on the play and Hawbaker also made it home. Harpster later scored on a sacrifice fly by Gaby McTavish.

But the Huskies battled back in the bottom of the inning cutting into the State College lead.

Riley Hine and Henry led off their first inning with consecutive walks.

Dakota Hershberger made it three-in-a-row to load the bases.

Jalee Bodtorf hit a high fly into right field that was dropped, allowing Hine to score.

Henry scored on a wild pitch, cutting the State College lead to 3-2.

Starting MIfflin County pitcher Piper Specht settled in and refused to allow any runs in the second and third. She took care of the Little Lions in the top of the those innings, setting the stage for her offense in the third.

Bodtorf led off the inning with a walk.

Falynn Reinard put down a picture-perfect bunt for the single.

Alexis O’Brien moved the runners up a base, putting runners on second and third.

Mifflin County tied the contest on an RBI fielders’ choice by Ava Baker.

Alaina Sharp gave the Huskies the lead roping a single into left field.

Specht and company continued its strong defense, keeping the Little Lions scoreless, tossing a no-hitter going into the fifth.

With two out, Specht was hit on a comebacker by Kroboth, knocking her out of the game.

But the Huskies were able to get out of the inning without a run, keeping the lead going into the sixth.

However, State College’s offense started to heat up, posting three hits in a six run inning that would give the visitors a 9-4 advantage.

In the bottom of the inning, the Huskies refused to go down without a fight.

Henry started off the inning with a walk. She stole second.

Hershberger singled in Henry, cutting it to a 9-5 contest.