Photos by Captured by Koop!

By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – The Mifflin County Babe Ruth 15-16-year olds looked to finish their State run undefeated as they matched up with one of its traditional arch nemesis West End.

Also at stake was the Pa. State Championship on Monday.

After defeating Altoona in thrilling fashion earlier in the day, the “Blue and White” were primed and ready for another classic match up between the two.

However, things didn’t go quite the way Mifflin County was hoping for as they fell to West End 11-1.

Trey Damschroder took home the win as he went four innings allowing only three hits and struck out five, allowing the lone MIfflin County run.

He went up against MC hurler Carson Cherry.

Picking up hits for Mifflin County were Cherry, Jaden King and Karl Shirey.

Leading the offense for West End was LJ Hill and Damschroder who both finished with two hits each.

West End finished with 11 hits in the win.

Despite the loss, the Mifflin County group finished as state runner ups.

West End got things going in the bottom of the first, plating three runs to take the early lead.

Damschroder got the inning going as he doubled with one out.

Teammate C March joined him on the base paths as he was hit by a pitch.

Briar Pershing roped the ball hard and reached on a MIfflin County miscue, scoring Damschroder.

Pershing tried to steal second and advanced on the second MC error, allowing March to score.

Noah Kirby singled to pick up the RBI as Pershing  scored, making it a 3-0 advantage.

After holding the MIfflin County bats quiet in the second, West End was back at it again offensively.

Mason Hess reached on an error to start things for West End.

Cade Lusk advanced Hess to second, blasting a single, putting runners on first and second.

Hill loaded the bases as he roped a single of his own.

Damschroder bounced into a fielders choice, scoring Hess.

Camden March’s RBI single ended the scoring for West End in the second.

Mifflin County rallied back in the third, getting runners on base. They would plate only one but produced four hits in the inning.

Bo Benny opened the inning hustling out a West End error at third base.

Shirey followed with a single.

King loaded the bases as he put down a picture perfect bunt single along the first base line.

Wyatt Parkes bounced into an RBI fielders choice, cutting the West End lead to 5-1.

From there the game momentum went to West End as they scored four runs in the fourth and lone runs in the fifth and sixth to take home the championship.

Both teams advance to the Regional competition July 15th – 19th at Williamsport.