Photos by Bob Hockenbrock

By Dom Reed

MILROY – In a do or die rematch from opening night. Mifflin County squared off against rival West End for the second time in the tournament hoping to pull off a sweep and punch a ticket to a chance to play for a World Series berth with a win.

Despite trailing early in, the “Blue and White” topped West End in a walk-off thriller 6-5 in extras.

MIfflin County drew first blood in the must win game on a Chase Krepps groundout Max Trawitz and River Knepp had hits in the opening inning. 

Mifflin County flashed the bats early, having their first four hits come in the first two innings. Mifflin County had eight hits in the game.

Mifflin County also had good defensive showings from Cohen Leister making multiple plays at shortstop. 

Krepps helped Mifflin County account for two of the team’s six RBI’s. MIfflin County would get two runs gifted to them thanks to two costly errors from West End tying the score 4-4.

West End had eight hits to go around as well Adrian Zoyas had two RBI’s in the game making an impact in the game. His first hit came during his second at bat he accounted for two of the five runs. West End’s Cam Denune came through for his team all day going 3-3 in the teams 6-5 loss in extra innings playing nine innings.

Liam Lucas had one hit in the team’s loss Emerson Lehman had one hit as well.

Mifflin County would have a hard time cashing in but it would be until River Knepp ripped a hard double over the left fielders’ head for a walk off game winner.

“I felt good. I was really struggling at the plate earlier this week and finally had a good game,” said River Knepp. “I hit the ball hard. I’m just trying to come in clutch for my team.”

Knepp has come up big all tournament for Mifflin County so has many others.

“These guys have exceeded everything I expected of them,”  said MC coach Denny Yetter. “This isn’t a one man show, this isn’t a two man show. This is an entire team effort. We showed that today. It took every one of us to do what we did throughout the whole tournament.  It’s been every player doing their part and I just appreciate the kids. I haven’t thrown one pitch. I haven’t caught one ball and I haven’t swung one ball this is all the kids.”

Mifflin County will play Westfield for all the marbles for a chance to get their plane tickets and book their hotels ready for Arkansas for the World Series.