Bodtorf leads Huskies over Rival State College in Nail biting title tilt

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: June 1, 2021

Photos by Jeff Shomo

ALTOONA – An instant Championship Classic!

Two teams that have a long history against each other met for the third time this season, this time it would be for the District 6 title.

State College and MIfflin County went toe-to-toe in what would be a nailbiter right to the end.

But like the first two times they met, it would be the Huskies that would come out victorious, winning 4-3.

It would be the team’s captain that would lead the way.

Colby Bodtorf was a perfect 4-for-4 afternoon with two RBIs, the last one would be the eventual game winner.

Picking up the victory was Cole Knable who replaced teammate Conner Cherry in the top of the fifth.

Taking the loss despite the strong effort was Ryan Terrizzi. He replaced starter Brady Bendik.

With the game tied at three going into the bottom of the sixth, MIfflin County would break the stalemate and take the lead.

Pinch hitter Dylan Zellers took one for the team getting hit by a pitch.

He was replaced by Jace Shoemaker at first.

Knable moved Shoemaker into scoring position as he layed down a picture prefect sacrifice bunt.

With one out, Jaxson Pupo was intentionally walked, sending Bodtorf to the plate. He was replaced on the base path by courtesy runner Drake Schaeffer.

Bodtorf smoked a single and there was a play on a hustling Shoemaker at the plate.

It would be a close call at the plate but the umpire called it safe, lifting the Huskies into the lead.

Knable was automatic in the final inning, sending the Little Lions down 1-2-3, to give his team the championship nod.

In the bottom of the first, MIfflin County opened the scoring.

Pupo started the inning with the walk. He was replaced by Schaeffer.

Bodtorf singled, putting runners on first and second.

Rylan Bailey hit a seeing-eye single to load the bases.

Bryce Dobson sent a deep sac fly, making it a 1-0 contest.

State College battled in the top of third.

With one out, Jake Cooper walked. He quickly fled the base paths when teammate Nate Polo tripled.

He later scored to give his team the lead when teammate Alex Hlivia roped an RBI double to give them the 2-1 advantage.

The Huskies tied the game in the bottom of the inning.

Pupo led things off with a double. Again, Schaeffer replaced him on the base paths.

Bodtorf knocked in his first RBI on a single as well.

Both defenses took care of the fourth inning, sending the game tied into the fifth.

State College once again took the lead, plating a run.

With two out, Matt Lingenfelter got the inning going with a single.

Hlivia walked, putting runners on first and second.

Cherry would be relieved by Knable on the mound.

Garrett Holzapfel blasted an RBI single, scoring Lingenfelter.

Trailing 3-2, the Huskies scratched their way back on the scoreboard.

With one out, Pupo walked again. He was replaced by Schaeffer.

Bodtorf roped single number three, putting Schaeffer in scoring position.

Bailey walked to load the bases.

Dobson tied the game as he walked, scoring Schaeffer.

That would set the stage for the drama in the bottom of the sixth and then the Huskies celebration after holding their rivals scoreless in the seventh.