Sentinel photo by KENNY VARNER Mifflin County’s Carly Dickson prepares to run during a softball game in State College on Wednesday afternoon.

By Kenny Varner

Sports correspondent

STATE COLLEGE — On Wednesday, it wasn’t quite the start that the Mifflin County softball team was hoping for in its opener. The Lady Huskies played tough early against rival State College looking strong on defense but in the fourth, the State College batters showed true patience at the plate and scored six runs in the fourth and five in the fifth to end the contest at 11-1 in a 5-inning contest.

Offensively, the Huskies finished the contest with four hits on the day. Picking up hits for Mifflin County were Malaina Maxwell, Carly Dickson, Addison Velez and Bailey Wyland.

State College picked up seven hits. Picking up a multiple-hit day for State College was Sarah Williams.

Other Little Lions who picked up hits were Sarah Mellott, Landry Moore, Kara Rhinehart, Lily Williams and Victoria Witmer.

“We got to keep in perspective that this is just the first game. We have’t been out much,” said Mifflin County coach Craig Weston said. “For the first three of four innings we were good but this team has to learn when you face a little adversity that you have to fight through it. It’s not just one person, not just the pitcher, just not the catcher, it’s a team. The team has to pick each other up. We’re going to get back to work tomorrow and we’ll figure it out.”

In the top of the first, the Huskies had some players in scoring position.

Maxwell led off with a single to start the game.

With one out, Dickson moved Maxwell up a base as she laid down a picture-perfect bunt that she was also able to beat the throw for the single.

However, Mifflin County stranded two.

In the bottom of the inning, the Huskies were able to keep the Little Lions off the board as Moore was gunned down trying to score on the Mifflin County defense.

They would try it again in the bottom of the second and again the “Purple and Black Attack” again gunned down a second State College runner keeping the score tied until the fifth inning.

But the wheels started to fall off in the bottom of the fourth as State College plated six in the process. The Little Lions offense produced five walks, three hits and six runs.

Despite being down, the Huskies were able to get one back in the top of the fifth.

Velez led off the inning for MC by smashing a single into left field. She later scored on a single by Wyland.

However, that would be the only run the Huskies were able to get across.

State College finished off the game in the bottom of the inning, again showing patience at the plate.

State College 11, Mifflin County 1 (5 innings)

MC 000 01x x – 1 4 1

SC 000 65x x – 11 7 0

WP – Paige Moriata

LP – Piper Specht

Multiple hitters: State College – Sarah Williams 2-for-3, RBI. Mifflin County – None.