State College 9/10s force final game; tops MC

By rscaife
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Updated: June 30, 2017

By Kenny Varner
REEDSVILLE – Another chapter is about to be written and a rivalry will get even bigger in the State College/ Mifflin County All-Star rivalry.
In 9-10 year old action Thursday night, State College had the momentum for much of the evening as it led by as many as eight runs going into Mifflin County’s last at bats.
The “never say die” attitude of the group from Mifflin County came out in the last two innings rallying for four runs before falling short 10-6.
With the win, State College forces a one-and-done championship game Saturday night at six on its home field. Both teams now have a record of 2-1 in the tournament.
Pitching Ace, Mifflin County Falynn Reinard went up against State College tough hurler Grace Witmer.
Despite the loss, Reinard allowed eight hits on the night while striking out 10.
Witmer gave up nine hits and struck out four.
Leading the offense for Mifflin County was Reinard who went 3-for-4 coming up a home run short of the cycle. She finished with two runs scored and 2RBI.
Olivia Fisher helped out smacking two singles and scoring two runs while bringing home an RBI.
State College had its bats going too as the team was led by Jess Hawbaker who went 2-for-3 scoring two runs and hitting in an RBI.
Teammates Jordan Standl, Tori Cruboth and Morgan Snelick all contributed with two hits apiece.
“Our team never gave up. They fought to the end. We love to see that as coaches. ,” Mifflin County coach Tony Stoner said. “They’re a little down on themselves now but we have State College Saturday night. We’re going to practice tomorrow (Friday night). We’ll come prepared and see what happens in the end.”
Mifflin County came out strong in the top of the first inning, playing two runs in the process.
Fisher led off the hustling out an infield single that dribbled down the third base line. She moved up to third after stealing second and then advancing on a wild pitch.
With one out, Reinard blasted an RBI double down the right field line.
Bailey Wyland moved Reinard up to third as she put down a picture-perfect sacrifice bunt, making it 2-0.
Going into the bottom of the inning, State College immediately answered posting two runs of its own.
Hawbaker led things off with a single into left.
With one out, Tori Risha took one for the team and was hit by a pitch.
Kruboth singled in Hawbaker and put Risha on third on an RBI single to right, cutting the lead to one.
Jordan Standl brought in Risha on a fielders choice to tie things as the game went into the second.
Witmer sent down the Mifflin County offense without a run in the second.
Reinard did one better as she struck out the side in the second.
State College defense was strong all game and in the third they once again set down Mifflin County without a runner crossing home.
State College mixed hitting and patience at the plate as it posted a 7-run inning that saw 12 hitters take to the plate.
With a commanding advantage at 9-2, State College continued to have an answer to the Mifflin County bats.
State College added another run in the bottom of the third, solidifying its position, 10-2.
But Mifflin County wasn’t ready to give up yet.
Reinard led off the fifth inning with a triple.
Wyland scored Reinard on an RBI fielders’ choice, making it 10-3 going into the team’s last at bats.
Alexis O’Brien hustled out a grounder to third and remained their via a State College miscue.
Abby Eversole kept things going, showing patience at the plate with a walk.
O’Brien scored when teammate Fisher also reached on an error.
Marlee Basom cane off the bench and singled up the middle.
Reinard brought in Fisher on a single to right.
Wyland helped Basom score by hustling things out and another State College miscue.
However, it was too little too late as the State College defense settled back in and shut themselves down the rest of the way, sending the series back home in a winner-take all one-game championship contest.