State College uses strong start, holds on for D5 title

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: July 5, 2024

By Kenny Varner

STATE COLLEGE – It was a rematch Friday between undefeated State College 12U baseball team as they battled the feisty Bellefonte team.

With a win over Bellefonte, State College would capture the D5 title and Bellefonte win would extend their season and force a “winner take all” title game.

State College opened the contest with a five run first and held strong to capture the District 5 champion winning 6-0.

Despite the tough first, the Red Raiders played tough throughout allowing only one run in the final five innings.

Bellefonte finished their run as D5 runner ups.

Offensively, State College’s Andrew McNeely finished his night posting a triple and a double while posting an RBI and a run. The Little Lions finished the evening with six hits.

Others picking up hits for the champs were Vincent Harris, Drew Gilroy, Coletta Kukla and Anthony Hill.

Bellefonte finished with five hits on the night. Picking up hits for the Red Raiders were Brayden Ripka, Owen Wolfe, Harrison Hoover, Linden Faust and Mason Jackson.

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

State College led things off, scoring quickly.

With one out, Charlie Zorger. was hit by a pitch, moving up to first.

Keegan Roan kept the inning alive, posting a 2-out walk.

Vinnie Harris roped an RBI double, scoring Zorger.

Gilroy kept the offense plugging away, posting a 2RBI triple into right field.

Hill made it back-to-back triples, scoring Gilroy, making it a 4-0 lead.

Hill scored easily when McNeely blasted an RBI double, giving his team a 5-run cushion going into the bottom of the inning.

Winning pitcher Vincent Trego scattered just five hits and six strikeouts on his time on the mound.

State College added an insurance run in the fourth and held on for the victory.