MC 13s are striking while iron is hot
ALTOONA — It maybe hot here in Altoona today when the Mifflin County Babe Ruth 13-year-olds, the Pennsylvania state champions, start play in the Mid-Atlantic Regional.
But, the heat has been on the Miffflin County team since it started District 8 play early in July.
Although Mifflin County was assured a spot in the state tournament as a host, the local all-stars didn’t fare too well in district play.
Mifflin County finished third as it beat Altoona, 15-2, but fell to West End (Williamsport), 4-1, and Centre County (Milesburg), 4-2.
Then in the state tournament at Armagh Memorial Field, Mifflin County came out firing on all cylinders as it beat West End 14-4 and came from behind to down 21st Ward (Roxborough) 8-6, and then shut out Drexel Hill, 11-0.
But then Mifflin County had to meet Centre County to end its pool play and it fell by a 9-6 score that featured Mifflin County giving up 11 walks.
But, its 3-1 record was good enough to get the top seed in the final four. Mifflin County then downed Franklin Township, 13-1, in a game that lasted three days becuase of rain. Centre County beat West End in the other semifinal.
Finally on Thursday with the sun out, Mifflin County edged Centre County, 1-0 , for the state title.
Mifflin County starts regional play today at 8 a.m. as it meets Eastern New York (Sorensco) at Seitz Field, which is the home of Altoona Babe Ruth (located off of Plank Road).
Then at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Mifflin County will take on the host team at PNG Field, the home of the Altoona Curve.
Mifflin County will not play on Sunday and has a game at 11 a.m. Monday against Southern New Jersey (Marlton) also at Seitz Feild. Mifflin County closes out pool play on Tuesday at 8 a.m. against the Western New York runner-up (Syracuse Valley), again at Seitz Field.
Teams in the other pool are West End (third place in Pennsylvania), Centre County (Pennsylvania runner-up); Western New York (Hertel North Park), Northern New Jersey (Ridge) and the Southern New Jersey Runner-up (Atlantics Shores), which replaced Southeastern New York, which includes Metro New York.
The winner of the Mid-Atlantic Regional will advance to the 13-year-old Babe Ruth World Series in Boston, Massachusetts.
COMMENTS