BELLEFONTE — The Mifflin County Babe Ruth 15-16-year-old All-Stars had a weekend to remember as the Pennsylvania Babe Ruth 15-16-year-old State Tournament got under way in Bellefonte. Mifflin County won both of its games, beating Altoona, 7-4, on Saturday, and downing Pine Forge on Sunday, 22-0.

Mifflin County will play Altoona today in the state semifinals at 2 p.m. and – if it wins – the state final at 5 p.m. The top three teams, including West End, advance to the Mid-Atlantic Regionals in Williamsport later this month.

The win on Sunday gave Mifflin County its 89th time finishing in the state’s final four.

The 89 times is a Pennsylvania Babe Ruth record.

MIFFLIN COUNTY 22,

PINE FORGE 0

BELLEFONTE – Mifflin County used a strong pitching performance and banged out 17 hits as it routed Pine Forge, 22-0. The game was over after four and a half innings due to the 15-run rule.

“Wyatt (Parkes) and Cullen (Busch) did a great job for us on the mound,” said Mifflin County manager Travis Parkes. “We were patient at the plate and we drove the ball today. Karl’s (Shirey) homer really got us going.”

Wyatt Parkes went the first three innings and only faced nine batters. He gave up one walk and one hit. Parkes struck out three.

Pine Forge’s Wes Piazza walked in the first but was erased on a line drive double play by the next batter to first base by Thad Gerwick. In the second, Dan Thomas singled, but Mifflin County’s catcher Luke Shawver threw him out trying to steal.

Busch pitched in the fourth inning as he allowed two base runners and no runs and closed out the game.

Offensively, Mifflin County had nine players get hits and racked up 17 in the ballgame.

The big hitter was Shirey, who from his leadoff spot, had a three run-homer and a two-run triple and scored three runs. Shirey’s home run was the league’s 149th and the last three have been hit in Bellefonte. Carson Cherry and Gerwick also each had big days at the plate with three hits.

Cherry drove in three runs with three singles, and Gerwick also had three hits with a double and two RBIs. Jaden King continued his hot streak as he had two hits, scored four times and had a double.

Parkes also had two hits and scored three times. Another multiple hitter was Shawver, who had two hits including a double. Busch had a two run double in the third.

The 22-run margin was Mifflin County’s fourth largest shutout win. The three games ahead of this one are Newtown-Council Rock, 2017, 14-year-olds, 25-0; Lewistown, 1979, 13-15-year-olds, 25-0; and Lock Haven, 15-year-olds, 24-0, 2021.

MIFFLIN COUNTY 7. ALTOONA 4

BELLEFONTE — Mifflin County scored five runs in the sixth inning to put Altoona away in the opening game of the state tournament on Saturday, 7-4.

Mifflin County trailed 3-2 going into the sixth inning but erupted for five runs on four hits. Altoona helped the Mifflin County cause with four walks. Shirey had the big hit, a two-run single that started the rally.

King had his third hit of the day, a single, But, the big blast came from Liam Shaffer, an RBI triple. Cherry added to the Altoona misery with a base hit. Shaffer and Shirey each scored on wild pitches.

Bo Benny was the starting pitcher for Mifflin County and he went into the fifth inning. Benny gave up two runs on two hits, striking out two and walking four.

Gerwick came in relief and got the win. He gave up two runs on three hits. Gerwick got the win despite a homerun from Spencer Davis that gave Altoona a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth. He struck out three and walked no one.

“Bo Benny pitched a great game,” Parkes said. “They were not giving him anything early and he worked through it. Bo got us through the rough part of the game in the early going. Thad was just as effective as Bo in relief.”

“We were patient at the plate and we kept the pressure on Altoona with our running on the base paths.” Parkes added.

Parkes was right as Mifflin County had five stolen bases in the sixth inning when they put the game away.

The win gives Mifflin County a 78-40 record in opening day wins in the Pennsylvania state Babe Ruth tournaments (all ages).