By Kenny Varner

STATE COLLEGE – Two rivals met on the softball diamond when the young Mifflin County traveled to State College to battle the Little Lions.

It was a close game from beginning to end.

However early miscues proved to be the Achilles heel for the Huskies as State College made the most of the two errors, taking home the 3-2 nail biting win.

“I told the girls we need to clean up some defensive miscues and play with some confidence,” said MIfflin County coach Craig Weston. “I also told them we need to learn from are mistakes but have a short memory because we are back on the field tomorrow.”

Highlighting the night offensively for MIfflin County were solo home runs by Alexis O’Brien and teammate Peyton McClure who both went yard, keeping the game close.

Picking up the win for State College was Zia Bodner. Bodner went the distance for the victory

Despite a strong pitching performance on the mound, Madison   Wolfgang who allowed just four hits and one earned run while striking out  five took the loss.

Offensively, McClure finished 2-for-3 at the plate.

“We will keep working to get better and this team will battle to the last out,” said Weston.

After holding the MIfflin County bats silent in the top of the first, Stare College got the scoring started in the bottom.

Sidney Wells got the inning started with a walk.

Jess Hawbaker moved Wells to second on a sacrifice bunt.

Wells later scored via an error.

However, the Huskies defense stiffened and got out of the inning with just the 1-0 deficit.

State added another run in the second to go ahead 2-0.

Mifflin County jumped onto the scoreboard in grand fashion when McClure stood in and hit a long fly ball that at cleared the fence, cutting the deficit to one.

But the Little Lions took back the temporary momentum back from the Huskies in the bottom of the inning.

Maddie Burkey opened the fourth inning reaching on an pop fly that led to an error. When the play ended, Burkey stood at third.

She later scored on a single by Bierly, upping the lead to 3-1.

Mifflin County refused to go away as O’Brien stood at the plate and took a shot at the centerfield fence as well for the round tripper.

But State College was able to take down the threat from there en route to the one-run victory.

State College 3, MIfflin County 2

MC 000 101 0 – 2 5 2

SC  111   100 x – 3 4 0

WP: Zia Bodner

LP: Madison Wolfgang

Multiple hitters : Ava Bierly 2-for-3. MIfflin County: Peyton McClure 2-for-3, RBI

HR: MC – O’Brien, McClure. SC: None.

3B: None.

2B: MC – None. SC – Ava Babcock