Mifflin County has high hopes as starters return

BY BRIAN CARSON Sports correspondent sports@lewistownsentinel.com

LEWISTOWN—With eight returning starters from last year’s District 6 Class 6A championship team, Mifflin County coach Craig Weston feels optimistic as the season begins.

The Huskies won the district and beat McDowell in the play-in game before falling to North Allegheny in the PIAA playoffs.

Hopes run high for a veteran squad with a heavy turnout of 28 for varsity/JV. That gives Weston plenty of options this season.

“The kids are working hard. They are upbeat. The chemistry is great, and the kids are competing. I want that younger kid pushing the older one, but we want to be a team, too,” Weston said. “It’s been great. It’s good to see the young ones come in and compete, and it’s been nice to watch the experienced kids help the younger ones along.”

For a softball team to succeed, you need pitching and defense. A strong pitching staff is the backbone of any successful team. Complementing the power of strong pitching is a well-rounded defense. Both are crucial for any championship-caliber softball team.

The Huskies have both.

Led by Madison Wolfgang, Weston knows he’s in a comfortable spot with his senior pitcher back.

Wolfgang and her battery mate, junior catcher Alaina Sharp, hold the fort in the circle. Freshman pitcher Piper Specht will see playing time as well.

“Madison is back from last year, and we expect her, and she accepts the leader’s role. It’s not just the pitching aspect; it’s the team. When things go sideways with the team, we need people to step up and correct it,” Weston said. “It starts with pitching and catching, and we have both back. They bring so much to our team. Madison has so much experience not just with us, but with her travel team, too. I have confidence in our pitching. They may have some hiccups along the way, but we should be solid.”

Most of the infield returns to solidify a defense that got stronger as the season rolled along last year. Despite losing Payton McClure at third, Weston knows his defense can be even better this season.

All-Mid-Penn selections

Dakota Hershberger and Riley Hine, along with Jalee Bodtorf return to the infield to lead the Husky defense. Hershberger is a junior. Hine and Bodtorf sophomores.

“We have to fill a big void at third with Peyton McClure gone. She was a leader through her actions and hard work,” Weston said. “We have Dakota Hershberger back and Riley Hine at short.

Jaylee Bodtorf played some at second last year, and we have some youngsters looking for playing time.”

The outfield features an all-Mid-Penn selection in junior Arika Henry. Rounding out the outfield is senior Sophia McCurdy and junior Alexis O’Brien. Senior Reagan Shafranich will play a utility role.

“We have Soph Mc-

Curdy, Arika Henry, and Alexis O’Brien back. Regan Shafranich plays the outfield, but we look for her to play a utility role,” Weston said. “We like what she brings to the table and look forward to her having a good season and contributing in a big way.”

Other members of the varsity/JV rosters include seniors Lorraine Minor, Julianna Hartzler, Morgan Diven, and Mackenna Yoder. Grace Paez-Davoli, Olivia Metz, and Karlee Fake are juniors. The sophomores consist of Jaylyn Carolus, Falynn Reinard, and Savanah Powell.

Freshmen on the team include Ava Baker, Davina Stoner, Kendall Cavanaugh, Carly Dickson, Emily Porch, Bailey Wyland,

Pictured is the Mifflin County softball team, front row, from left, Alexis O’Brien; Julianna Hartzler; Jocelyn Sunderland; Malaina Maxwell; Layla Osman; Jaylyn Carolus; Adelynn Thornburgh; Bailey Wyland.

Second row, Sophie McCurdy; Kendall Cavanaugh; Madison Wolfgang; Reagan Shafranich; Jalee Bodtorf; Karlee Fake; Emily Porch.

Third row, Alaina Sharp; Carly Dickson; Davina Stoner; Arika Henry; Falynn Reinard; Olivia Metz; Morgan Diven; Grace Paez-Davoli.

Back row, Mackenna Yoder; Dakota Hershberger; Savannah Powell; Ava Baker; Lorraine Miner; Riley Hine; Piper Specht.