By Kenny Varner

MILROY- Back where they belong!

For the second consecutive year the MIfflin County 14-year-olds are back to play in the Babe Ruth Mid-Atlantic Championship game.

The team also competed for the title at the 13-year-old level but fell just short.

Monday, with their convincing 9-5 win over the Number One seeded Hillsborough, MC is back in the title tilt.

Picking up the win for MIfflin County was Logan Ruth. Ruth went 6 2/3 innings allowing five runs on 10 hits, striking out four and walking only one.

Picking up the save for MIfflin County was hurler Chase Hartung.

Hartung was clutch under pressure getting all four batters he faced out to secure the win.

Mifflin County also showed strong patience at the plate, especially in the 5-run fourth when they had five walks in the inning.

Leading the offensive punch for MIfflin County was Gavin Powell who posted two hits, an RBI and a run scored.

Ruth was a clutch benefactor to his own work at the plate, posting a team high 2RBIs and also scored once.

After two scoreless innings, Hillsborough started off the bottom of the third by scoring the first two runs of the game.

With two outs, Nathan Brenstalk kept the Raiders’ inning alive roping a triple.

He later scored on a single to right by Elijah Dawes. Dawes later scored on a wild pitch, giving his team a 2-0 advantage.

But like all good teams do, MIfflin County went right to work in the top of the fourth, highlighted by five walks.

Ruth led off with a walk. He was followed by walks to Braxton Smith and Reese Christine.

Jayden Smith sent a shot into right field, scoring Ruth.

Gavin Powell tied the game,hustling out an infield hit allowing Braxton Smith to cross the plate successfully.

Chase Leister put MIfflin County ahead as he also singled to right, allowing Christine to score.

With the bases still loaded and MIfflin County leading 3-2, Hartung blasted a sacrifice fly into center, scoring Jayden Smith.

Nazae Traxler kept the momentum going taking a walk as well to load the bases.

Madden Weaver got his team another run as he walked with the bases loaded.

Going into the bottom of the inning, MIfflin County changed the momentum leading 5-2.

Ruth kept the Raiders batters in check in the fourth.

In the bottom of the fifth Hillsboro started to make some noise but centerfielder Reese Christine would make the play of the game, sending the Raiders deflated going into the sixth.

After scoring an early 1-run start, With one out, Hillsborough’s Brenstock was on third and teammate Dawes was on first.

Drew Kipita sent what looked like a sacrifice fly to centerfield.

But it would be the case as Christine caught the ball and sent a bullet to home plate nailing Brenstock at the plate, keeping the momentum in MIfflin County’s favor.

In the sixth, MIfflin County added three more runs.

With two outs, Bo Reeder hustled out an awkward grounder that fell in between the pitcher and second, keeping the inning alive.

Elliot Yetter put runners on first and second with a shot into left field.

Reeder was then replaced at second by pinch runner Michael McNitt.

Weaver loaded the bases as he walked.

Ruth blasted a 2-RBI single into right centerfield, scoring McNitt and Yetter.

Weaver later scored on a Raiders miscue, giving the MIfflin County crew an 8-3 lead.

But Hillsborough refused to go away.

They managed to scape and scratch for two runs before MIfflin County would go to the bullpen.

With two outs and the bases loaded, Hartung was able to strike out Shane Khurama to end the threat.

With the 8-5 advantage, MIfflin County added an insurance run, upping the lead to 9-5.

That would all that Hartung and company would need as they sent the last three Raiders down to punch their ticket to the Mid-Atlantic. Championship.

The title game will be tomorrow at Armagh Field at 7pm against Broomall-Newton or West End.