By Brett R. Crossley
For The Daily Item
May 12, 2008 06:02 am
—
MIFFLINBURG -- Preparation is often referred to as the key to success.
Mifflinburg softball is taking that message very seriously heading into the district playoffs.
"We have been preparing one game at a time," said Mifflinburg coach Mike Beckley. "We need to win these last couple of games and take that momentum into the playoffs."
Mifflinburg did just, that winning 7-1 Saturday against Susquehanna Valley League opponent Shikellamy.
"We have to play good solid ball these last three games," said Beckley.
Shikellamy, on the other hand, doesn't have the luxury of using games to prepare. At 9-9 (9-7 SVL), they are fighting for a chance to qualify for the playoffs.
"We have to get our confidence back," said Braves coach Diane Miller. "Our girls are just overthinking everything."
Confidence wasn't the problem at the start of the game, as leadoff batter Kami Heim roped a single into left field. Heim then advance on three passed balls to give the Braves an early lead.
"I didn't let the first inning get to me," said Wildcats pitcher Emily Crandell. "I knew we could get that run back."
The Wildcats (13-4, 12-3) got the run back and then some in the bottom of the third inning. Shikellamy pitcher Lisa Laboskie was able to get the first two hitters out, but then the Wildcats started a two-out rally, hitting four singles and drawing a walk.
Hannah Allison drove the first pitch of her at-bat into left field to get things rolling. Corrin Showalter then drew a walk. The Wildcats followed with three consecutive singles to plate three runners and take the 3-1 lead.
"We needed to pitch and rely on our defense," said Miller. "Sometimes you have to forget what happened and concentrate on the game."
In the top of the fourth, Shikellamy looked ready to get back some of its spark as catcher Samantha Davis drove a 2-2 offering into the left-center gap for a double. Davis would end up being stranded, as Crandell was able to get the next three hitters out.
"She knew what she had to do," said Beckley. "We didn't want to give any more runs away."
In the top of the sixth, the Braves came close to crossing the dish again. The Braves connected on back-to-back one-out singles. Beckley called time to discuss the situation and calm his girls down.
"I wanted the girls to know the situation," Beckley said. "We had two runners on and I wanted the infield to know what to do with the ball. I also wanted to talk to Crandell about how to pitch the next couple of batters."
It worked. Crandell fanned the next batter and got the following one to hit a pop-up to second.
The Wildcats continued to build on their lead in the bottom of the fourth when leadoff batter Samantha Brininger smashed a home run over the left-field fence. Two more batters were able to get on base, but were left on after back-to-back groundouts.
"It's tough when you have the lead and it gets away from you," said Miller. "We really needed this game."
Mifflinburg put the nail in the coffin in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three more runs to give them the 7-1 lead. Amy Cline opened the inning by hitting a single and advancing to second on an error. Allison drove Cline home on a single into the outfield. Allison then stole second, giving the Wildcats runners on second and third. Tessa Aunkst plated both after she ripped a ball into the left-center gap.
Crandell then whiffed a batter and got two more to ground out to end the game.
Shikellamy is now sitting at .500, one win from making for the playoffs. With both Milton and Montoursville remaining, it's going to be a uphill battle for the Braves to qualify for the district playoffs.
"It's going to be tough," said Miller. "Our girls know we need one of the last two games to give ourselves a chance."
Mifflinburg will have the advantage of using the last three games on its schedule to get ready and work out any kinks.
"We have three games left," said Beckley. "We need to continue to plug away and build momentum for the playoffs."
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.