Heane leads MU to Ripken crown
Sentinel photo by WILLIAM WHISLER <BR> Mount Union’s Zach Heane delivers a pitch during the District 13 Cal Ripken 10U Championship Game, Sunday, at Lewistown’s Rec Park.
Sentinel photo by WILLIAM WHISLER <BR> Mifflin County’s Anderson Bitner heads into second base with a double during the District 13 Cal Ripken 10U Championship Game, Sunday, at Lewistown’s Rec Park.
Sentinel photo by WILLIAM WHISLER <BR> Mount Union’s Zach Heane delivers a pitch during the District 13 Cal Ripken 10U Championship Game, Sunday, at Lewistown’s Rec Park.
Sentinel photo by WILLIAM WHISLER <BR> Mifflin County’s Anderson Bitner heads into second base with a double during the District 13 Cal Ripken 10U Championship Game, Sunday, at Lewistown’s Rec Park.
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LEWISTOWN--Mount Union took the lead and never looked back, defeating Mifflin County to be crowned the 2021 Cal Ripken District 13 10U baseball champions by the final score of 8-4 at Rec Park on Sunday afternoon.
"It was a good team win," Mount Union coach Keith Wise. "Obviously, our pitching was outstanding. Zach Heane had a complete game. Good pitching and good defense always wins."
Mifflin County scored first in the top of the first inning, scoring two runs to get out to an early lead.
Mount Union answered in the bottom half of the first, dropping four runs in the frame. Zach Heane scored on an error at shortstop while Beau Wise reached base. Parker Dixon hammered home Wise with an RBI triple to left to tie the game at two apiece. Ryder Chilcote then singled to center to bring home Dixon before Chilcote later scored on a error throw by the catcher to make it a 4-2 Mount Union lead.
"We lost our first game this morning, but the kids didn't seem affected," Wise said. "They came out, gave up two runs to start this game and they didn't quit. That's what we preach. Baseball is a six-inning game and as long as we keep playing, there is a lot of good that can happen and we pulled through."
Chase Benfer made his presence felt for Mifflin County in the top of the third inning as he was able to reach on a fielder's choice that scored Caden McClure.
Mount Union responded in the bottom half of the third when Chilcote blasted a 3-2 pitch for a double to left that brought home Wise. Landen Copenhaver then grounded out to second to drive home Dixon.
Mifflin County struck again in the top of the fourth inning when Kanagy singled to right field to drive in Anderson Bitner.
Mason Swanger then singled in Heane before Wise later scored in the frame on a wild pitch to make it a 8-4 lead.
Mount Union put the icing on the cake, in the top of the six when Heane completed a 1-6-3 double play to end the game.
Heane pitched all six innings of the game, collecting six strikeouts and had zero walks.
"He was outstanding. Being ten years old, throwing a complete game and not walking anybody, you don't see that a lot," Wise said.
Chilcote led the Mount Union offense going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a double. Dixon went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a triple. Heane was also effective at the plate as he was on the mound going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Greyson Getz, Chase Krepps and Bitner each went 2-for-3 for Mifflin County. Krepps and Bitner each had a double in the game as well. Benfer was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Kanagy was 1-for-3 with an RBI as well. Mason Joyce was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
"I thought our boys hit well," Mifflin County coach Jason Krepps said.
Joyce got the start for Mifflin County, pitching the first two innings of the game with four strikeouts and three walks. Jaxon Parkes took over from there, finishing the final three innings for Mifflin County striking out four and walking none.
"I think pitching was great," Krepps said. "It was a good game."
Mount Union finishes the tournament at 2-1 while Mifflin County completes the tournament with a record of 2-2.