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MC tosses no-hitter in final contest

By Ray Wilde 2 min read

ASTON -- Something good finally happened to the Mifflin County Babe Ruth 14-year-old All-Stars this postseason.

After dropping three close games in a row, Mifflin County rebounded against Haverford and won 9-1 on Wednesday in the final game of pool play in the Pennsylvania Babe Ruth 14-year-old tournament.

Mifflin County finished 1-3 and did not advance into the final four.

But, the win did come with some history.

Calin McKnight and Grady Hoppel combined for a no-hitter. It was the league's 26th no-hitter and the fifth in a state tournament. The last no-hitter thrown by a Mifflin County pitcher came on August 15, 2016 by Ethan Eichhorn in the 13-year-old World Series.

McKnight pitched into the sixth inning before coming out for Hoppel. McKnight was at his pitch limit with two outs in the sixth.

The Mifflin County pitcher had 10 strikeouts and seven walks. Hoppel finished the no-hitter with one and one third innings relief. He struck out four and had no walks.

"I was really pleased today," said Ray Hoppel, the Mifflin County manager. "We kept competing despite what happened in the previous three games. With a base hit here or there, we could be playing for a state title."

The Mifflin County bats came alive on Wednesday with 13 hits. McKnight did more than just pitch. He aslo had four hits becoming the 50th player in league history.

Two of McKnight's hits were doubles. Hayden Yoder, Clay Ammon and Logan Alexander each had two hits. Yoder and Ammon each had doubles and Alexander led the team with three RBI's. Jeremiah Partchey also knocked in two runs.

Mifflin County lost the previous three games to 21st Ward, Roxborough, 8-6, Drexel Hill, 4-3, and West End of Williamsport, 4-3.

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