Huskies maul Bald Eagle, 13-3
WINGATE -- Mifflin County won its third straight game as the Huskies drubbed Bald Eagle Area on Wednesday afternoon in five innings, 13-3.
Huskies hurler Aidan Attivo faced off on the mound against Eagles starting pitcher Brayden Dubbs.
Attivo went four complete innings, allowing two runs.
The Huskies (7-4) got multiple hits from Landon Haigh (2-for-3, four RBIs, run), Jayden Smith (2-for-4, four RBIs, two runs).
Bald Eagle (4-10) also finished with two multiple hitters. They were Teagun Runkle (2-for-3, run) and Dawson Lomison (2-for-2, RBI, run).
"I was just trying to stay consistent. I felt very comfortable with most of my pitches," said Attivo. "The changeup I didn't feel as comfortable with so I stayed mainly with my fastball and curve and I stayed mostly with that. I was trying to stay consistent with my form and trying and hitting strikes."
In the first frame, Mifflin County started off strong, getting runners on the base paths early.
Leadoff hitter Evan Strohecker reached on a Bald Eagle miscue.
Designated hitter Lincoln Ruble followed with a walk. Both moved up on a wild pitch.
First baseman Jayden Smith grounded a fielder’s choice chopper to shortstop, scoring Strohecker, giving the Huskies a 1-0 advantage going into the bottom of the first.
"We were still a little frustrated early on," said Mifflin County manager Ray Hoppel when asked about his offensive effort. "When Landon (Haigh) hit that double we were fortunate it bounced over the outfielder's head to give us another run. Sometimes those are the kind of breakout games or breakout hits you need to get yourself out of a funk. We definitely capitalized on our opportunities tonight."
Attivo and the Huskies defense sent down the Eagles in order in the first.
Dubbs was equally successful in the second, striking out 2-of-3 Huskies in a 1-2-3 inning.
Bald Eagle threatened in their part of the inning.
Teagun Runkle blasted a laser shot down the third baseline. He was followed by a shallow single into right by Kaleb Irion.
Runkle and pinch runner Kaden Clark stole second and third.
However, the Huskies ended the threat with no damage, keeping a hold of a 1-0 lead.
Patience at the plate in the third started the Huskies off on a good note.
Easton Lepley opened the inning with a walk. He was replaced on the base path by courtesy runner Elliott Yetter. Strohecker also walked, putting runners on first and second. Both moved up a base on a double steal. Ruble kept it going by reaching on a base on balls to load the bases with Jayden Smith walking up to the plate.
Smith bounced into a fielder’s choice as the Eagles got the force out at home.
But Landon Haigh smoked a double to left, clearing the bases and giving the Huskies a 4-0 advantage.
Much like the first inning, the Huskies sent down the Eagles in order in the third.
The Huskies added more runs in the fourth.
All came with two outs in the inning.
Reese Christine opened the inning with a walk.
With two outs, Lepley brought in Christine on another Eagle error.
Highlighting the inning was Christine's second appearance as he sent a shot over the fence for a three-run homer.
When the dust settled in the inning, Mifflin County added eight, taking a 12-0 advantage.
Bald Eagle refused to go down quietly as they started its part of the fourth frame strong. Dubbs led off with a crushing shot into right-center. Runkle, who finished with multiple hits, singled as well, setting the stage for Wyatt Cessna. Cessna was cool under pressure as he blasted a double to left, scoring two, cutting the Mifflin County lead to 12-2 heading into the fifth.
Refusing to give up, the Eagles picked up a fifth-inning walk for Connor Perry. He moved up to second on an infield error by Mifflin County, putting runners on first and second with only one out. Dubbs blasted an RBI single, scoring Perry and moved Johnson to third. Dubbs later stole second, putting both Bald Eagle runners in scoring position.
With two outs, Mifflin County held tight, taking home the 13-3, five-inning contest.
The Huskies host Mt. Union on Friday at 5 p.m. They also visit State College on Saturday at 10 a.m.
Mifflin County 13, Bald Eagle Area 3 (5 innings)
MC 1-0-3-8-1-X-X--13-8-1
BEA 0-0-0-2-1-X-X--3-6-2
WP: Aidan Attivo.
LP: Brayden Dubbs.
Multiple hits: MC – Landon Haigh 2-for-3 4RBIs, R, Jayden Smith 2-for-4 4RBIs, 2R. BEA-Teagun Runkle 2-for-3 R, Dawson Lomison 2-for-2 RBI, R.
HR: MC -Reese Christine. BEA – None.
3rd: MC -None. BEA – None.
2nd: MC -Jayden Smith, Landon Haigh . BEA – Wyatt Cessna, Kaleb Irion.