Time marches on for MC15s

By rscaife
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: July 20, 2017

By Kenny Varner

BELLEVILLE – And then there was one.
The 15-year old Mifflin County Babe Ruth team has taken on all comers in state competition but one.
In just a few hours, the boys in blue will go face to face with fellow unbeaten West End in an elimination contest that will send one to the Mid-Atlantic and the other home for the rest of the year.
Before getting to the title tilt, the Mifflin County squad had to go up against a feisty team in Philadelphia’s own 21st Ward.
It wasn’t an easy way to start as Mifflin County trailed for much of the contest before some late innings heroics to send them onward and upward to the championship game, winning 3-1.
Evan Smith came in in relief for starter Michael Anderson and pulled out the victory.
Andrew Ameye took the loss for the Rebels.
The 21st Ward started out with the early lead, posting a run in the second inning.
Charlie Yanoshick and teammate Adam Rocks both led things off with consecutive walks.
With one out, Cole Quigley loaded the bases, setting the stage for Ameye. Ameye singled in Quigley to give the Rebels a 1-0 lead.
From there, both defenses took over and kept each other in check for the next three innings as Mifflin County went into its part of the fifth still trailing 1-0.
With one out, Rodney Henry hustled out an infield hit. He was replaced on the base paths by Shane Dippery. Dippery stole second base, putting him in scoring position.
He moved to third on a fielders choice hit by Jace Shoemaker.
On the best coaching call of the evening, Hudson First caught the Rebeks napping as he hustled out a suicide squeeze with two out, allowing Dippery to score the tying run.
Despite not being able to get another run across in the inning, Mifflin County suddenly held the momentum.
After holding the 21st Ward scoreless in the sixth, the home team refused to go out of the inning empty handed.
Noah Wright wasted no time at all as he led off with a double that fell into shallow right field.
Then Mifflin County picked up two outs, putting their backs to the wall once again.
But Cade Shawver walked to put runners on first and second.
Blaine Davis ended the scoreless inning as he blasted a 2RBI double, playing Shawver and Wright, giving them a 3-1 cushion.
That would all that Smith would need as he sent down the Rebels after they tried to mount a comeback.
But it wouldn’t be on this night as Mifflin County will be championship bound back here Thursday at five.