By Kenny Varner

HIGHLAND PARK – The early long balls proved to be too much for the MIfflin County baseball team as Cedar Cliff hit a 2-run home run in the first and a solo shot in the second to ride the momentum en route to a 11-1 six-inning victory for the Colts.

The Huskies were held at bay at the plate as they scattered just five hits in the contest.

Landen Eichhorn led MIfflin County with two hits.

“We got down early but the kids kept battling,” said Mifflin County coach John McGonigal. “Tonight we hit a bunch balls right to guys. There were a couple shots to center that were right at guys. Couple of times the made good catches on us. Couple drops here or there and it’s a different ball game.”

Picking up the win for the Colts was ace Will Stambaugh.

Taking the loss for the Huskies was Luke Lyter.

In the first inning, Cedar Cliff made a quick offensive statement notching four runs in their top of the first.

Leading off the game for the Colts was Nate Uzelak. He singled past the third baseman.

Ayden Fry then took an off speed pitch and drove it deep over the centerfield fence, making it a 2-0 contest.

With one out, David Beard is hit by a pitch, putting him at first.

Bennett Secrest followed with a walk, putting runners on the corners.

Erik Schaeffer came into pinch run for Secrest.

Schaeffer attempts to steal second a throw by the Huskies allowed Beard to score and Schaeffer to end up at second.

Schaeffer scored on a double by a Cayden Bender double, ending the scoring at 4-0.

In the bottom of the inning, Xavier Smith launched a stand up double to center but was left stranded as the game entered the second.

Uzelak sent a solo shot in the similar space where his teammate did just an inning to go.

Lyter and company was able to shut things down in the third.

But the fourth was a different story as the Colts were able to manage to plate four more, upping the Cedar Cliff lead to 9-0.

The Huskies, with the help of some Colts errors were able to manage a run thanks to Landen Eichhorn’s single past third for the single. He later scored on a wild pitch.

But it wouldn’t be enough on this night as the Colts added two more to take the contest 11-1.

The team will be right back at it today against a very seasoned Central Mountain team that is again close to the top of the heartland division.

“We said the best thing for us is we get to go back at it tomorrow against Central Mountain,” said McGonigal. “We have a good quality team coming in again. So we’re excited about the opportunity and excited to get better. We’re still working to our goals as the season continues on.”

Cedar Cliff 11, Mifflin County 1(6 innings)

CC 410 402 x – 11 11 1

MC 000 010 x –  1   5 1

WP: Will Stambaugh

LP: Luke Lyter

Multiple hits : MIfflin County – Landen Eichhorn. Cedar Cliff – Nate Uzelak 2-4 2Runs, Ayden Fry 3-for-4 HR 4 RBIs,3 runs, Nate Ilgenfritz 2-for-3, 2runs.

HR: Cedar Cliff – Frey, Uzelak. Mifflin County – None.

3B: None

2B: MIfflin County – Xavier Smith. Cedar Cliff – Cayden Bender.