Sentinel photo by MIKE GOSS Juniata's Sophia Smith throws to first base.

By Connor Jackson

Sports correspondent

MIFFLINTOWN — The Juniata softball team couldn’t go the distance against Philipsburg-Osceola, losing 11-0 in five innings on Tuesday afternoon.

The Indians could only get two hits off Mounties’ starting pitcher Macie Bush. “Macie is good,” Juniata coach Craig Bubb said. “Throws hard, moves it around, has a great changeup. That was the most solid defense I have seen in a long time. That’s a really good team over there.”

The Mounties scored five runs in the first inning to set the tone, but were held scoreless for the next two innings as Juniata starter Destiny Yohn was able to stop the Mountie offense momentarily.

Finally, in the fourth inning, Emily Gustkey hit a solo home run to make it 6-0 Mounties. Then, in the fifth, Natalee Fleck crushed a three-run home run off of Kalynn Brown to make it 10-0.

“We talked to Des and Kay both when they were warming up, we’re going to have to stay off the middle of the plate,” Bubb explained. “We’re going to have to fight off the edges, live out there and just stay out of the middle. Make a mistake down the middle to a good hitting team like that you are going to pay for it.”

Alexi Deppen and Sophia Smith were the only two to get hits for the Indians. Juniata (1-10) will look to get going in their next game at home at 4:30 p.m. Friday against Susquenita.

“Just continuing to battle,” Bubb said. “They never quit, they never give up. They battle the whole time they are out there.”

FROM STAFF REPORTS

SOFTBALL

Mustangs rout Indians, 17-5

COAL TWP. — Midd-West (8-3) defeated Shamokin (3-9) in softball action on Tuesday, 17-5.

For the Mustangs, Olivia Dorman tallied four RBIs and Briahna Keister added three RBIs. Dorman had two doubles.

Dorman, Keister, Katie Zimmerman and Kady Wagner each posted three hits in the contest.

Wagner, Ava Yoder and Emma Wagner each had two RBIs.

In the circle, Emma Wagner tossed six inning, allowed five hits, five runs (one earned), two walks and struck out 12 batters.