Huskies edge State College behind Lepley, strong pitching

BY BRIAN CARSON

LEWISTOWN — Mifflin County scratched out enough offense and leaned on its pitching staff to open the season with a tight 2-1 win over State College on Wednesday.

The Huskies did their damage early and then let their pitchers take over.

Mifflin County scored once in the first inning and added another in the third, both driven in by Easton Lepley, who accounted for the only RBIs of the game for the Huskies. That proved to be enough in a game where runs were scarce and every baserunner felt magnified.

Evan Strohecker set the tone at the top of the lineup, scoring both Mifflin County runs. He reached base twice and consistently pressured the State College defense, helping manufacture the slim margin.

From there, the game became about pitching and defense.

Chase Hartung earned the win for the Huskies, working four innings and allowing one hit and one run while striking out four. He worked around two walks and kept State College from stringing anything together.

Parker Crownover handled the final three innings and slammed the door, tossing three hitless frames. He struck out three and walked one, preserving the one-run lead and finishing off the combined one-hitter.

State College managed its lone run despite limited offense, taking advantage of a couple of opportunities early. But the Little Lions couldn’t generate sustained pressure, finishing with one hit on the day.

Cody Norman took the loss for State College, pitching three innings and allowing one run while striking out three. Connor Kulka followed with three innings of relief, giving up one run and two walks.

Mifflin County collected four hits, with Lepley, Strohecker, Karl Shirey and Madden Weaver each contributing. The Huskies also showed discipline at the plate, drawing multiple walks and capitalizing on key situations.

Defensively, Mifflin County played a clean game, while State College committed two miscues that helped extend innings.

In a game that never allowed much breathing room, the Huskies made the most of their chances and trusted their pitching to carry them the rest of the way.

BOX SCORE

Mifflin County 2, State College 1

State College (STTC) AB R H RBI BB SO Michael Powell rf 3 0 0 0 0 1 Kellen Williams 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 Cam Machtinger c 3 0 0 0 0 2 Jake Hall cf 1 1 0 0 2 1 Rowan Walker ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 Cody Norman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cooper Salvato dh 2 0 1 0 0 0 Davontae Hardison lf 2 0 0 0 0 1 Ryden Walker 2b 2 0 0 0 0 1 Keen Furmanek 1b 1 0 0 0 1 0

Totals: 19 1 1 0 3 7

E: Furmanek, Williams TB: Salvato HBP: Rowan Walker

Pitching — State College Cody Norman (L) 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO Connor Kulka 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO

Mifflin County (MFFL) AB R H RBI BB SO Evan Strohecker cf 2 2 1 0 1 0 Karl Shirey ss 3 0 1 0 0 1 Easton Lepley c 2 0 1 2 0 0 Chase Leister 1b 2 0 0 0 1 0 Lincoln Ruble 3b 2 0 0 0 0 1 Madden Weaver 2b 3 0 1 0 0 0 Chase Hartung p 2 0 0 0 0 1 Parker Crownover p 1 0 0 0 0 0 Reese Christine rf 2 0 0 0 0 2 Joel Beamer lf 2 0 0 0 0 0

Totals: 21 2 4 2 2 5

2B: Shirey TB: Shirey 2, Lepley, Weaver, Strohecker HBP: Ruble SB: Strohecker, Weaver SF: Lepley

Pitching — Mifflin County Chase Hartung (W) 4.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO Parker Crownover (S) 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO

Records: Mifflin County 1-0, State College 0-1