Centre County 15s top Mifflin County for State Championship nod

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: July 15, 2021

By Kenny Varner

LOCK HAVEN – Two familiar foes met up Thursday afternoon to battle for the right to be called champions in the 15-year old Babe Ruth State Championship game.

Centre County met Mifflin County in the final game of the tournament.

With both teams having earned the right to move onto the Regional play next week in Scranton, it was just a contest for bragging rights and future seeding rights.

Centre County was up for the challenge on this day as they defeated Mifflin County 5-0.

Mifflin County hit the ball hard in the contest but it was mostly right at the Centre County defense.

Their offense roped 10 hits in the contest.

Picking up multiple hits for Centre County were Tyler Serb (2-for-3, RBI, run), Weston McClain (2-for-4) and Cameron Watkins (2-for-3, RBI).

Other notching hits for “the Red and White” Kahale Burns, Parker Quick and Braedyn Kormanic.

Mifflin County had three hits. Notching hits for MC was Trevor Sheaffer, Garrett Leitzel and Landon Eichhorn.

Starting on the mound for Mifflin County was Leitzel while Centre County retaliated with Kormanic.

After a scoreless first inning, Centre County got on the board for the first time as it plated three runs in the bottom of the inning.

Parker Quick started the inning with a single into right centerfield.

Owen Johnson joined Quick on base as he walked, putting runners on first and second.

Jake Kosut bounced into a fielder’s choice as Quick was forced out at third.

With one out, Kormanic singled to left, loading the bases.

Kahale Burns posted an RBI single into left field.

Tyler Serb brought in Kosut and Kormanic on a 2-RBI single into right field, taking a 3-0 advantage going into the bottom of the inning.

Mifflin County was able to manage getting one runner on base but Centre County held them scoreless.

Both teams would step up its defense in the third and fourth innings as neither team could muster a run.

In the top of the fifth, Centre added another run to add to its lead.

Serb scored thanks to a Mifflin County miscue, upping it to 4-0.

Kormanic was pitching a quick game, keeping the Mifflin County bats in check.

Centre County added an insurance run in the top of the sixth, thanks to a Watkins RBI single to shallow left, scoring Kormanic.

That would be all that Centre County needed as they went on to take the championship.

Mifflin County finished as runner up, not a bad run for either team.

With both teams moving on one thing is evident and that Central Pennsylvania will be well represented when the rest of the Regional qualifiers make their was to Scranton.

Congratulations should go out to both teams as they both have had very successful post seasons so far.

Editors note: During the handing out of the medals, the head of the State Babe Ruth Association also handed out a medal to the mother of Danon Beaston who passed away last year.

Both teams were front and Centre for the ceremony and it would be an emotional moment for all who witnessed.