State College outlasts Mifflin County

By rscaife
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Updated: June 21, 2014

By Kenny Varner

REEDSVILLE – Friday was all what all-star play is all about.

State College and Mifflin County met at Snyder Field for their first meeting in post-season action in the 11-12 year old softball division.

After a big inning by State College, the youngsters from Mifflin County added a late inning comeback only to fall two runs short in the end, 11-9.

It was a battle of high powered offenses, the two combined for 20 runs and over 20 hits.

Leading 2-1 going into the second inning, State College tried to put the game early, rolling out five runs in the inning.

With a runner on first, Shannon Mackenzie put down a picture perfect bunt, putting runners on first and second.

Sara Conklin kept the momentum going by bouncing into a fielders choice, for the first out but keeping two runners on the base paths.

Ashley Thomas and teammate Kaitlyn Brannon loaded the bases and scored one which set the stage for the game’s first big hit.

Sullivan did not disappoint her team –roping a 2RBI double single. After stealing second, she then was stranded at third, leading 7-1.

But Mifflin County battled back in the third, picking up two runs to chip the lead to four runs.

Speedster Krista Hagans surprised the State College defense laying down a bunt. She stole second on the next pitch, putting herself in scoring position.

With one out, Skylar Ciccolini singled and advanced to second on an error while Hagans motored home.

Hannah Crossley followed with a single and then Whitney Kenepp blasted in Ciccolini, rounding out the innings scoring.

State College offense just continued to pound out the runs, going up by a score of 10-3.

But Mifflin County refused to lose as they fought its way back into the ball game, plating a six-run fifth inning.

Picking up hits in the inning were Crossley, Kenepp, Destiny Graham, Maddie Tate. Bailey Zendt plastered the most impressive hit of the ball game as she smoked a shot over the left fielders head knocking in two runs on a stand up double.

With the score at 10-6, Hagans, and Keni Kahley brought their team to within one with one more at bat left in the game.

In the sixth, State College added an insurance run and then shut Mifflin County down in the top of the sixth to take the hard fought victory.

Early on the Little Lions came out in the first inning and plated a 2-run advantage.

In the top of the second, Mifflin County cut the State College lead in half, 2-1.

Whitney Kenepp got the inning started when she was hit by a Lily Sullivan offering.

With two outs, Tori Nichols brought in Kenepp on an RBI single to right field.

Despite the loss, Mifflin County still has life in this double elimination tournament.