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Red Raiders plate three in seventh for comeback over State College

By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – Going out in style.

In their final game of the season, the Bellefonte baseball team found itself trailing 3-1 going into the bottom of the seventh against a tough State College team.

The Red Raiders has a flare for the dramatic as CJ Funk blasted a double to score two teammates for the walk off 4-3 victory.

For the Little Lions it was the second time in as many games it fell late in the final inning.

It was a night that both teams used numerous hurlers to wind down the season.

“We definitely made it exciting. They’re (State College) a nice ball club. We knew we could do that but we just weren’t doing it today. It’s one of those games you have the playoffs coming up Friday. You can’t throw everyone out there,” said Bellefonte coach Jon Clark said. “You just throw different pieces out there and they were in the same boat as we were. You throw some things on the wall and see if it sticks and the guys did a good job today. We battled through it. It was a nice win. It might be something that propels us into the post season.”

Offensively, Funk finished the day as the Red Raiders only multiple hitter, going 2-for-3 2RBIs.

State College was led by Jake Cooper who went 3-for-4 with 2RBIs.

Both teams were kept to only four hits on the day.

Picking up the win on the afternoon was Derek Fravel while Jake Cooper took the loss in relief.

Bellefonte opened the game, plating a run in the bottom of the first.

Nick Capperelle led off with a walk.

He stole second and moved up to third on a single to right field by Funk.

Bobby Marsh lifted a high fly deep into centerfield, allowing  Capperelle to tag up and score.

Both teams defenses held strong in the second.

The Little Lions battled right back in the top of the third to take the lead.

With one out, Kevin Kurzinger singled into left field and Jared Houser walked. He was replaced on the base path by courtesy runner  Cameron Pease.

Jake Cooper blasted a towering fly into the gap in right center, allowing both teammates to score as he landed on second with a 2RBI double.

The Bellefonte bats went quietly into the fourth, going scoreless.

State College added another run in the fourth.

Brendan Franks led things off with a walk.

He then was brought in on a towering shot by Tyson Cooper, upping it to 3-1.

The Red Raiders continued to put runners on the base paths but couldn’t find a way to get them in.

Until the seventh.

In the seventh, things started to change from the very beginning of the inning.

CJ Lauck led things off with a single into left field.

He was replaced by pinch runner David McAndrew.

McAndrew moved from first to third on an error off a throw in after a fly out by Colton Burd.

Jonathan Myer joined McAndrew in base with a walk.

Myer forced a pick off attempt at first and Cooper’s throw to First that went wild and allowed McAndrew to score.

After moving up to second on the State College miscue, Myer moved to third on a sacrifice fly by Dylan Young.

Capperelle kept the game alive as he walked, putting the game winning run on first.

With one mighty swing from Funk that soared past the center fielder, Myer and Capperelle motored their way around the bases.

With the final foot by Capperelle stepping on home plate, the celebration began and continued as the Red Raiders ended its season in a winning note.

Bellefonte 4, State College 3

SC 002 100 0 – 3 4 2

BE  100 000 3 -4 4 0

WP: Derek Fravel

LP: Jake Cooper

Multiple hitters: State College –  Jake Cooper 3-for-4 2RBIs. Bellefonte – CJ Funk 2-for-3 2 RBIs.

HR: None.

3B: None.

2B:State College – Jake Cooper, Tyson Cooper. Bellefonte – Funk.

 

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