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MC13s clutch under pressure; tops Centre County for Babe Ruth State title

MILROY – It was a championship game for the ages.

Two teams that mirrored each other met in the Babe Ruth 13-year old Championship.

Mifflin County met up with Centre County in what would prove to be a pitcher’s delight as the game would not be decided until the bottom of the seventh.

With two out and one on, Mifflin County’s Deakon Schaeffer singled in Ryan Hine, giving the “Boys in Blue” the 1-0 walk-off victory.

“Our defense played well. We knew we would have to play good defense. We played these guys before. We knew they hit the ball well,” Mifflin County coach Bill Corbin said. “Xavier (Smith) pitched a great game tonight. He didn’t have many strike outs but he didn’t have many walks either. We knew this team has scored a lot of runs on few hits. So they take advantage of walks and errors. That’s what we had to avoid.”

Smith went the distance, throwing 63 pitches, allowing just three hits, striking out one and walking two.

Just as successful on the mound was Centre County hurler Weston McClain. McClain went six innings without allowing a run, just three hits and struck out three.

Taking the hard luck loss for Centre was Tyler Serb.

Picking up hits for Mifflin County were Schaeffer 1-for-4, RBI, Trevor Sheaffer 1-for-3, Tucker Gill 1-for-3 and Hine 1-for-3, run.

Centre County got its hits from the bats of Kahale Burns 1-for-4, Jake Kosut 1-for-3, Braedyn Kormanic 1-for-3.

Smith and his defense was tough on the Centre County offense, keeping the hits few and far between.

In the top of the fifth, Centre was threatening before the Mifflin County defense answered the call.

With one out, Kaden Burns and Kormanic reaches on consecutive pitches.

Serb layed down a picture perfect bunt, allowing both teammates to move up on the sacrifice.

But Smith forced Weston McClain to pop out, ending the threat.

MCClain was cruising through the first four innings, pitching a no-hitter.

But in the fifth, Tucker Gill’s hit into center ruined the no-hit bid. For good measures, teammate Hine moved Gill up to second as he hustled out an infield hit.

But McClain would regain control, ending the inning and kept it a scoreless tie.

After shutting down Centre County down in the sixth and seventh, Mifflin County has its chance to end the game.

After getting two quick outs, Hine was very patient as he walked to keep the inning alive.

With Schaeffer at plate, Hine stole second and moved to third on a throwing error by the catcher.

As Schaeffer swung at the 2-1 pitch, the liner brought home Hine and the game ended 2-1.

The celebration immediately begun as the group captured the State. Championship.

Mifflin County will start Mid-Atlantic Regionals Saturday at 2p.m. in Altoona.

With finishing as the runner ups, Centre County also advances to the Regionals as well.

Which could lead to a game three if all goes well for both teams.

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