Corrections in the hits for MC ….
By Kenny Varner
LEWISTOWN – It was a tough night out for the MIfflin County baseball team Tuesday as they ran into a red hot Altoona team coming in with a six game winning streak.
Again, similar to the first game the two teams met, it would belong innings but Altoona that were the Huskies Achilles heel.
On Tuesday, the Mountain Lions had two 4-run innings to take a 9-3 victory over the Huskies.
The Huskies were able to rally late but it was too little too late.
“We have to carry that energy the whole way through from start to finish. When we get down early we go to be able to battle and keep the energy up and not go silent,” said MIfflin County coach Nohn McGonigle. “That’s what kind of happens tonight.”
Picking up hits for the Huskies on the night were Tucker Gill, Jaxson Pupo, Ryan Hine and Landen Eichhorn.
Picking up the win for Altoona was Aidan Steinbugl.
In the top of the first Altoona started the contest posting four runs in the inning.
Matt Moyer led off the game with an opposite field single to right.
With one out,Lucas Muffie walked.
Left hander Erik Rhodes blasted a shot over the fence for a 3-run home run.
Michael Riccio followed with a walk. However, he was forced out on a fielders choice by Ethan Hileman. Hileman would later score on a double by Sean Bettwy, ending the first inning scoring.
The Altoona offense hit the gaps numerous times on the night, posting 13 hits.
Altoona would add to its lead in the top of the third.
Riccio led off the inning with a double. He scored on an RBI single by Evan Alwine, upping it to a 5-0 advantage.
Mifflin County got one back in the bottom of the inning as Landen Eichhorn reached base on an fielding error by the Mountain Lions’ third baseman. He stole second and scored on a fielders choice by Farrell Souders, cutting it to a 5-1 contest.
However, Altoona would add to its lead in the fifth, plating four more runs to go ahead of the Huskies.
But the Huskies rallied back in the fifth.
Ryan Hine led off with a monster shot into center that allowed him to blaze his way to a triple.
Eichhorn followed with an RBI double, scoring Hine.
Pinch hitter Tyler Hunter singled to being in Eichhorn.
But that would be all the Huskies would get on the night as the Mountain Lions held onto the 9-3 victory.
The Huskies will back in action Thursday as it hosts Red Land.
Altoona 9, MIfflin County 3
AL 401 040 0 – 9 13 2
MC 001 020 0 -3 4 1
WP: Aidan Steinbugl
LP: Landon Black
Multiple hitters : Altoona – Matt Moyer 3-for-4 2Runs 2RBIs, Erik Rhodes 2-for-4, 3RBIs,run, Michael Riccio 2-for-3, run . Mifflin County – None.
HR: Altoona – Rhodes. Mifflin County -None.
3B: Altoona – None. Mifflin County – Ryan Hine.
2B: Altoona -Sean Bettwy,Ethan Hileman, Riccio 2,Connor Blough. Mifflin County – Tucker Gill, Landen Eichhorn.