Bellefonte holds off Big Valley late to win 2-1 thriller

By Kenny Varner Jr.
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: July 2, 2024

By Kenny Varner

BELLEVILLE- It was a night of strong pitching performances when Big Valley and Bellefonte 12U All-Star baseball teams met to earn the right to do battle in the championship game against State College.

Big Valley Kaden Peachey and Bellefonte hurler Harrison Hoover limited their opponents to just three hits each.

Trailing going into the bottom of the fourth, Bellefonte scored a run in the fourth and one in the fifth and held onto a very competitive 2-1 contest at Belleville’s Little League contest.

Peachey struck out eight Red Raiders while Hoover tallied 11 in the victory.

Picking up hits for Big Valley were Brooks Drukenmiller, Kaden Peachey and Connor Donovan.

Bellefonte got timely hits from Coley Price, Ryan Hepfer and Hoover.

Bellefonte won the coin toss and chose to be the home team.

Big Valley struck first in the top of the third.

Gabe Clark opened the inning, reaching base via being hit by a pitch.

He was joined on base by Levi Anderson who walked.

Drukenmiller loaded the bases with a single, loading the bases.

Andrew Toddes brought in Clark on an RBI fielders choice, giving Big Valley a 1-0 lead.

But Bellefonte battled back to tie things in the bottom of the fourth.

Trygg Evert took one for the team as he was hit by a Big Valley offering.

Ripka followed with a walk of his own.

Levi Gall tied the game at one with an RBI fielders’ choice.

In the fifth, Bellefonte took the lead for good when Ryan Hepfer blasted a shot deep into center. The hit took a huge bounce resulting in a ground rule double. He later stole third and then home, putting his team up for good.

Bellefonte’s defense held Big Valley in the top of the sixth pinching their ticket to battle for a District title.