By RAY WILDE

Sports correspondent

LEWISTOWN–Now that there are no more state tournaments for Babe Ruth in Pennsylvania, here is a look back at the ones Mifflin County won.

Mifflin County holds state records for most state titles, 25; most state runners-up, 27; most state finals. 53 and most times in the Pennsylvania final four, 90.

1960s

The league was founded in 1955 and it took just five years to win its first state championship. Mifflin County won its first state title in Conshohocken, a suburb of Philadelphia.

Mifflin County beat Broomall, 4-3. Jim Allgyer was the star pitcher as he gave up three runs in the first inning and then threw six shutout innings. Dennis Harmon was the team’s top slugger as he smashed a key home run against Virginia in the Mid-Atlantic regionals. Mifflin County finished second in the regionals, losing to Huntington, West Virginia in the finals. Huntington went on to win the national title. The 1960 team stood the test of time. It wasn’t until 2002 that a team went farther, 42 years. The manager of the team was Bob Metz, Sr.

1970s

It was 13-years until Mifflin County won another state championship. This one came in Phoenixville against one of Pennsylvania’s most powerful leagues at the time, Levittown.

Mifflin County was powered by a lineup of strong hitters, Dale Reynolds, Brent Hartman, Doug Wyland and Chuck Osborne. Dean Reynolds, the twin brother of Dale, was the star pitcher.

The surprise starter in the state final game was Randy Corbin. He came through and Mifflin County won going away, 9-1. The manager was Gary Ciecieraski.

1980s

In the 1980’s, Mifflin County won four state titles with the first one coming in 1981.

This was a state title that no one saw coming. In 1979, as 13-year-olds, Mifflin County lost in the District 7 finals to Mount Union in Mount Union. Not only did Mifflin County win the district title, but it beat Mount Union in the semifinals. Then it was on to Drexel Hill. Again, Mifflin County was up against the host team to win the title. Mifflin County lost in the first game of the state finals to Drexel Hill,19-2, but came back the next day and won the state title with an 8-5 victory. Norm Heane and Dave Westover were the star pitchers. Brett Treaster was one of the top hitters. One of the top teams that year was Pennsbury. Mifflin County won, 2-1 and Mahlon Mauer was on the mound in relief blowing bubbles. It was Fred Zook’s ( the manager) first of four state titles.

Longtime manager Bob Reigle only won one state title and it came in 1983. And it came at home (Armagh Memorial Field). Mifflin County went 5-1 in the state tournament and had two close calls with West End of Williamsport, 14-12, and Brookhaven, 14-13. Mifflin County’s only loss came in the middle of the tournament to Hyde Park of Scranton, 16-5. But Mifflin County bounced Hyde Park in the state finals, 16-6 and 11-1. The team had some great hitters in the likes of Kent Weaver, Todd McCurdy and Matt Torquato.

In 1987, Mifflin County swept the state. It wouldn’t be the last time.

The 14-15-year-old tournament was held in Milroy. Mifflin County won four straight games to win the title. Mifflin County beat Norristown, 8-5; McKean County, 14-7, Green Ridge of Scranton, 11-2 and Green Ridge for the state title, 10-2. It was the last game that was the one to remember. It went 10 innings and Mifflin County was the visitor. The game was tied 2-2 after seven innings. Chris Wolfkill was the starter and went six strong innings. Chris Freed came in relief and held Green Ridge scoreless Aaron Reinard had a great game on defense at first base. And Gary Specht’s hustle to start the 10th on the base paths proved to be the difference.

Fred Zook was the manager.