Baker’s walk-off hit powers Huskies over Altoona
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LEWISTOWN -- With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Ava Baker knew she had to keep cool in order to deliver Mifflin County its second win in as many days -- and the catcher did not disappoint.
Baker launched a shot deep to right field, which allowed Layla Osman to cross home plate and seal victory over Altoona on Wednesday, 3-2.
"It was important for me to stay calm and I did. I think I did that pretty well. I had my team standing behind me. I felt pretty confident going up. I just knew I needed to hit green so the run could be driven in and I did," Baker said about her game-winning at-bat. She also went 2-for-3 in the game with a walk.
Carly Dickson had an RBI and Malaina Maxwell went 2-for-2 for the Huskies.
Baker added the victory over Altoona will help the Huskies moving forward.
"It's definitely a morale booster. Morale was kind of low at the beginning of the game. We came back though, we showed a lot of perseverance and I think we can go 3-for-3 this week," the catcher stated. Mifflin County has three games this week and is 2-0 so far.
The Huskies got strong performances in the circle. Piper Specht went five innings, gave up two hits, two unearned runs and four walks. Macy Pietzch pitched two scoreless frames, allowed one hit, no walks and had one strikeout.
"Piper started, she did a good job and then we brought Macy in because we're hoping for the difference in their pitches and their arm slots. They both did a good job," Huskies coach Craig Weston said.
The Husky pitchers not only emphasize location, but getting ahead in the count.
"We're trying to preach to them, let’s get in pitcher's counts," Weston voiced.
With the victory, Mifflin County (4-6) completes the regular-season sweep of Altoona. In the first matchup back on April 1, the Huskies won, 8-1, over the Mountain Lions (1-9).
What was the difference between the first game with Altoona and the second game in the regular-season series?
"This one I think we went in a little over confident. This (second win) brought us back to where we were, especially with the run rule last night (beat DuBois Tuesday 11-1) it got us a little levelheaded," Baker said.
Baker added that it's not too early to think about postseason play with only three weeks left in the regular season.
"If we keep it up, keep going on this winning streak I'd say we have a pretty solid shot at districts," Baker added.
The Huskies visit West Perry (0-10) today at 4 p.m.
Mifflin County 3, Altoona 2
ALT 1-1-0-0-0-0-0-2-3-2
MC 0-0-0-2-0-0-1--3-6-4
WP-Piper Specht 5IP, 2H, 2R, 0ER, 4BB, 0K; Macy Pietzch 2IP, H, 0R, 0BB, K.
LP-S. Reed 6.1IP, 6H, 3R, ER, 5BB, K.
Altoona (2): K. Sprankle 0-2 R, RBI, 2BB; N. Baker 1-3; Reed 0-4; L. Snyder 0-4; G. Price 0-3; M. Worley 1-3 2B; J. Yost 0-3 R; K. Cogan 1-3; K. Bettwy 0-1.
Mifflin County (3): Riley Hine 0-2 2BB; Falynn Reinard 0-3; Jalee Bodtorf 0-3 R; Ava Baker 2-3 RBI, BB; Malaina Maxwell 2-2 R; Carly Dickson 1-2 RBI; Specht 0-3; Pietzch 0-3; Layla Osman 1-3 R.