LEWISTOWN - Mifflin County got off to a slow start so far in its legion campaign.
But the locals are making up for it as they defeated Clarence, 8-2, on Thursday to bring their record to 2-4.
The home team got off to a quick start in the bottom of the first when it scored three runs without a hit.
Article Photos
Sentinel photo by BRADLEY?KREITZER
Mifflin County’s Heath?Hidlay connects on a line drive single to center field during Mifflin County’s 8-2 win over Clarence Thursday in Lewistown. See more photos online at cu.lewistownsentinel.com.
Aaron Michaels started the inning with a walk, then Isaac Stroehecker reached on an error when he tried to sacrifice bunt. Pitcher Jon Romine threw the ball wide of first pulling Tylor Dyke off the bag.
With runners on first and third, Evan Pupo was hit by a pitch loading the bases. That brought up pitcher Heath Hidlay, but before he could do something, Michaels scored on a passed ball. Hidlay then grounded into a fielder's choice and Zach Yetter walked to load the bases again. Stroehecker then scored on the second passed ball of the inning.
Colton Craig reached on a fielder's choice, which scored Hidlay.
Mifflin County coach Larry Wolfe was happy that his team was able to get some runners on and score without getting a hit.
"If you look at our box scores, were going to have to keep scoring that way because we don't pound the ball like we have in years past," Wolfe said. "And we're going to have to keep manufacturing runs and force the defense to make plays."
In the second, Mifflin County went right back to work as Logan Swineford singled to left and during Joe Krepp's at-bat, Swineford reached second on yet another passed ball. Krepp reached on an infield single putting runners on first and second before Swineford got to third on the fifth passed ball of the game.
Romine then balked by putting his hands to his mouth while on the rubber, scoring Swineford. Krepp scored as Michaels lined a double to left and Stroehecker reached on an error to short, scoring Michaels. Stroehecker then stole second. He reached third on a passed ball and scored on another passed ball. That chased Romine from the game and after a single by Hidlay, Tyler Bennett got Yetter to ground out and Craig to fly out to center.
Clarence needed a boost in the third as they were down 7-0 and Bennett gave it to them by hitting a rocket to left for a leadoff home run. After two strikeouts, Romine singled to left then Hidlay walked the next two hitters to load the bases with two outs.
It looked like Mifflin County would get out the inning allowing just the one run as Zach Sayers grounded to third. But the in-between hop caught Pupo off guard and one run scored. Hidlay settled down from there and got Jarrett Shreffler to go down looking.
The home team controlled the game from there as they got one more run in the fourth when Stroehecker tripled to right and scored on Hidlay's infield single.
Hidlay took over on the mound and kept Clarence from any thoughts of a comeback as he allowed just two hits from the fourth inning on and struck out seven in a complete game. Wolfe was happy with Hidlay's performance.
"We got a good pitching performance from Hidlay," Wolfe said. "He had a couple shaky innings, but he got out of two jams."
Mifflin County will host Philipsburg on Saturday.
Centre County League
Pleasant Gap 14, Mifflin County 7
PLEASANT GAP - At the plate, it looked like the Mifflin County Stars could hold their own against Pleasant Gap Thursday in Centre County League baseball action.
Defensively, however, things turned sour for the locals. The Stars committed 10 errors en route to a 14-7 loss to Pleasant Gap.
Mifflin County scored four runs in the fourth but it wasn't enough. Brian Billett, Casey Zimmerman and Cameron Rhodes each had doubles. Rhodes picked up a pair of RBIs.
Mifflin County (2-7) host Clarence Sunday in Milroy.
