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Huskies ride Colts in Mid-Penn shutout

Sentinel photo by MATT STRICKER
Mifflin County’s Eleana Eckley slides into home under the tag of Cedar Cliff catcher Olivia Wagner scoring the first run in the Huskies’ three-run fourth inning Thursday in Lewistown.

LEWISTOWN — Hanna Kanagy tossed a four-hitter and the Mifflin Count bats, silent through the first three innings, came alive down the stretch with seven hits and a 3-0 Mid-Penn Commonwealth softball victory over Cedar Cliff on Thursday.

Kanagy struck out eight and walked one to pick up her ninth win of the season as the Huskies improved to 11-3 overall and 7-3 in the conference. Mifflin County won its third straight game and four of its last five.

“I’m very pleased with how our team is playing. Take away one game and we are right in the mix,” Mifflin County coach Jack McCurdy said. “We are still right in the mix (in the Mid-Penn). We just have to go out and play our game and see what happens with these other teams that are close to us. The girls are playing with a lot of confidence right now and we hope to keep it going.”

The Huskies broke the scoring drought in the fourth inning when Eleana Eckley connected with an opposite-field triple to left-center with one out. Caitlyn Smith followed with a sacrifice fly to center, plating Eckley, who slid underneath the tag of Colts catcher Olivia Wagner for the 1-0 lead.

Mifflin County added two more runs in the fifth when Ralie Goss singled to left with one out. A fielder’s choice advanced her to second. With two outs, Maddie Amspacker singled and stole second, setting up Darcy Wilson for the two-run single to right scoring Goss and Amspacker. The 3-0 lead was more than enough cushion the Huskies needed, thanks to Kanagy.

“We were a little too patient at the plate to begin the game and I told them you have to start taking that pitch because if you can square the ball up on their pitcher (Avery Winchell), you’re going to launch it,” McCurdy said. “That worked to our advantage in the fourth inning and beyond because we started hitting line drives. Anytime you get a run it eases some of the nervousness a bit and after Eckley’s triple, the others just followed suit.”

The Husky junior, now 9-2 on the season, stymied Cedar Cliff (5-5, 5-5) with excellent control, throwing strikes and inducing ground ball outs. The Colts didn’t get their first hit until a bunt single in the third inning.

“I am really tired but I’m happy with what I did and I’m glad my team backed me up,” Kanagy said. “Our team is on fire. We’re good, we play as a team and we all get along. I put in a lot of work in the offseason to get ready for this year. I’m happy with the way we are playing.”

The Colts tried to mount a rally in the final two innings. In the sixth, Cedar Cliff had runners on second and third with two outs, but Olivia Wagner grounded out to the second baseman to end the threat.

“We had some opportunities in the game but couldn’t take advantage of them. Give Mifflin County credit. They are a solid team with an excellent pitcher,” Cedar Cliff coach Stephen McCoy said.

In the seventh, Maddie Sitler doubled to start the inning and went to second when Maddie Enrico reached on an error. Despite the fatigue setting in on Kanagy, she ended the frame and the game by inducing two fielder’s choice outs and a groundout.

“I think Hanna was a little fatigued. She threw seven innings yesterday (against State College) and seven today. I could tell because she started skipping the ball across instead of using her legs,” McCurdy said. “She’s throwing well, but she needs a little bit of rest. Hanna has command of her pitches. She’s always had the physical capabilities to be a great pitcher and now she’s starting to get it mentally. The girls seemed calm even with runners on first and second with nobody out. They stayed in the moment and made the outs.”

Kanagy also helped herself at the plate with two hits and Smith had two RBIs. The Huskies outscored the Colts 15-0 in two games this season. With the loss, Winchell fell to 4-3 on the season.

Mifflin County travels to the Thunder on the Mountain tournament where it will face defending PIAA champion Hempfield on Saturday.

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