MC shows total team effort in D6 title win over rival SC

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: May 23, 2024

By Kenny Varner

CRESSON – Making Mifflin County history with a Bang!

Xavier Smith’s 2-run Home run in the of the fifth, changed the momentum Thursday in their District 6 6A title match up against rival State College.

“I was pumped,” said Xavier Smith. “The last three years we came up short and us seniors, I think there were 13 of us, we wanted this for the longest time. So it feels really great to come up with the win

With clutch hitting and stand out pitching, the Huskies added a page to their history books, topping the Little Lions 10-5 at Mount Aloysius.

“We got a couple of breaks early on with some overthrows on their part and high bounces off the turf. We had a couple of fly balls that were in the sun that were tough to see and we went out and talk to them. We told them we had our breaks now they have their’s,” said Mifflin County coach Ray Hoppel. “We have to just keep our head.”

“The turning point there when Doug (Weaver) got out with the bases loaded and nobody out. I felt confident after that. When Xavier hit that home run that really set us on our way.”

In year one of new Mifflin County head baseball coach Ray Hoppel, the Huskies had a breakout season finishing with a 13-6 record, earning the top seed and placing themselves in the District 6 Class 6A championship game against familiar foe and rival State College.

Make that 14-6 as the newly crowned champions can add their name to the list of Husky teams that have reached the top of the mountain in D6 sports.

“I thought we hit their number one really well,” said Hoppel. “ They deserve this!”

Aidan Attivo took to the mound for Mifflin County while he faced off against State College hurler Sam Janik.

Attivo picked up the win while teammate Doug Weaver got the save.

“I have a lot of confidence in my defense. They kept me up the entire inning,” said Weaver. “That lifted a lot of weight off my shoulders. Definitely great to have all those guys behind me, knowing if I throw one down the pipe they got it if it’s coming.”

A crucial moment in the contest had Weaver facing the bases loaded with nobody out for State College.

Weaver dug in and struck out two consecutive batters before getting the third batter to ground out.

In the regular season, the Huskies and Little Lions split the series.

But the night belonged to Mifflin County.

With State College set as the visitor, the Little Lions had an early runner on base as lead off hitter Sebastian Rhoades single. Rhoades was stranded as the Huskies defense held, leaving Rhoades at third.

Mifflin County picked up a base runner of its own in the bottom of the inning when Landen Eichhorn walked. He moved up to second on a wild pitch.

With two out, Jayden Smith joined Eichhorn with a walk of his own.

Calin McKnight hit a high chopper over the third baseman for an RBI single as Eichhorn blazed his way home.

Tye Plank loaded the bases on a shot into center, keeping the inning much alive.

But the Lions would force a ground out, ending the threat.

State College singled in the second by Logan Shannon.

But Attivo caught Shannon off guard and threw to a pick off attempt to Jayden Smith. Smith threw it to Eichhorn and Eichhorn tug Shannon as he overslid second.

Mifflin County threatened early in the second. Tucker Gill walked. He stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch.

Farrell Souders also took first with a walk, putting runners on the corners with nobody out.

Leadoff hitter Ryan Kanagy blasted an RBI single deep into left, making it a 2-0 contest.

Souders scored on a broken play going back to second.

Eichhorn kept the rally going singling in Kanagy.

That ended the day for Janik as State College brought in Gino Peghetti.

Xavier Smith welcomed Peghetti as he doubled in Eichhorn.

State College caught Xavier Smith trying to steal home in a very close call at the plate.

Mifflin County’s defense again shined in the third, allowing just one hit as it went into the bottom of the inning leading 5-0.

In the fourth, State College battled back in to the game

Jake Hall was hit by a pitch. He moved up to third on a double to deep center by Austin Harlen. Shannon brought both in reaching on a Huskies miscue, cutting it to a 5-2 contest.

The Sun continued to hinder the Huskies’ outfield to the account of a total of three errors in the State College 3-run inning.

They say a sign of a championship team is how well it responds to adversity.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Huskies went right to work.

Eichhorn led off with a walk. Xavier Smith plastered his second hit of the game, putting runners on first and second. Both advanced a base on a wild pitch.

Jayden Smith blasted a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Eichhorn.

Going into the fifth, the Huskies held a 6-3 advantage.

Things continued to turn in State College’s favor as the Little Lions rallied for another run.

State College rallied to get the bases loaded but reliever Doug Weaver was able to strike out two consecutive batters and end things with a fielders choice.

Patience at the plate in the fifth, Mifflin County loaded the bases with three consecutive walks.

A wild pitch and an RBI sacrifice fly by Landen Eichhorn upped the lead to 8-4.

With one swing of the bat by Xavier Smith, the “Purple and Black attack” added to it lead.

Smith blasted a moon shot 2-run blast over the left centerfield wall, scoring Kanagy.

“I can’t explain that feeling. It was one of the greatest feelings in the world,” said Xavier Smith when asked how he felt when he connected on the home run. “Especially coming out of a slump.”

When the dust settled in the sixth, the Huskies extended its lead to a 10-4 advantage.

It seemed fitting that Weaver would strike out the last batter, sending the Huskies to their dugout to celebrate.

The total team effort the team showed cemented their right to be called champions.

The Huskies will be off the rest of the week as they battle a representative from District 10.

Mifflin County 10, State College 5

SC 000 311 0 – 5 7 2

MC 140 140 x – 10 8 3

WP: Aidan Attivo

LP: Sam Janik

SV: Doug Weaver

Multiple hitters: SC – Sebastian Rhoades 3-for-4, run. MC – Xavier Smith 3-for-4 double, HR, run, 3RBI.

HR: SC – None. MC – Xavier Smith.