By GameChanger Media

Despite seeing their 4-run lead whittled down by the end, State College still held off  for a 9-8 victory on Thursday. Altoona closed the gap by scoring on a single, a ground out, and a ground out.

Altoona got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Eric McAllister walked, and Aaron Smearman grounded into a fielder’s choice, each scoring one run.

Michael Powell singled down the left field line, which helped the Little Lions tie the game at two in the top of the second.

A fielder’s choice by Gavin Albright gave Altoona the lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the second.

In the top of the fourth inning, State College went back into the lead after Powell doubled down the left field line, and Jake Hall singled down the left field line, each scoring one run.

Albright walked, which helped Altoona tie the game at four in the bottom of the fourth.

The Mountain Lions took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Joseph Speece singled, scoring one run, to give Altoona the upper hand, 5-4.

State College Varsity flipped the game on its head in the top of the sixth, scoring five runs on six hits to take the lead, 9-5. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Finn Powers that drove in two.

Adam Schirf started on the mound for the Little Lions. The starter surrendered one hit and three runs over three innings, striking out one and walking five. Albright stepped on the mound first for Altoona. The hurler gave up six hits and four runs over four and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking two. Powers and Rowan Walker each appeared in relief for State College.

The Little Lions piled up 13 hits in the game. Powell, the number nine hitter for State College, led the way with three runs batted in. The right-handed hitter went 2-for-4 on the day. Hall went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead State College in hits. Derek Moriarta and Max Herncane each collected multiple hits for State College. Hall stole two bases. The Little Lions turned one double play in the game.

Albright went 2-for-4 at the plate and led the team with two runs batted in. McAllister paced Altoona with three walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, tallying 10 walks for the game. Altoona were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Tanner Stroup made the most plays with six.

The Little Lions will travel to Mifflin County for their next game on Monday.

Copyright © 2025 GameChanger Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Any reuse or republication of this story must include the preceding attribution and is subject to the Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. Terms of Use, License Agreement, and Privacy Policy.

State College Little Lions Hold Onto Victory As Altoona Almost Erases 4-Run Deficit

By GameChanger Media

Despite seeing their 4-run lead whittled down by the end, State College still held off  for a 9-8 victory on Thursday. Altoona closed the gap by scoring on a single, a ground out, and a ground out.

Altoona got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Eric McAllister walked, and Aaron Smearman grounded into a fielder’s choice, each scoring one run.

Michael Powell singled down the left field line, which helped the Little Lions tie the game at two in the top of the second.

A fielder’s choice by Gavin Albright gave Altoona the lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the second.

In the top of the fourth inning, State College went back into the lead after Powell doubled down the left field line, and Jake Hall singled down the left field line, each scoring one run.

Albright walked, which helped Altoona tie the game at four in the bottom of the fourth.

The Mountain Lions took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Joseph Speece singled, scoring one run, to give Altoona the upper hand, 5-4.

State College Varsity flipped the game on its head in the top of the sixth, scoring five runs on six hits to take the lead, 9-5. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Finn Powers that drove in two.

Adam Schirf started on the mound for the Little Lions. The starter surrendered one hit and three runs over three innings, striking out one and walking five. Albright stepped on the mound first for Altoona. The hurler gave up six hits and four runs over four and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking two. Powers and Rowan Walker each appeared in relief for State College.

The Little Lions piled up 13 hits in the game. Powell, the number nine hitter for State College, led the way with three runs batted in. The right-handed hitter went 2-for-4 on the day. Hall went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead State College in hits. Derek Moriarta and Max Herncane each collected multiple hits for State College. Hall stole two bases. The Little Lions turned one double play in the game.

Albright went 2-for-4 at the plate and led the team with two runs batted in. McAllister paced Altoona with three walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, tallying 10 walks for the game. Altoona were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Tanner Stroup made the most plays with six.

The Little Lions will travel to Mifflin County for their next game on Monday.

Copyright © 2025 GameChanger Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Any reuse or republication of this story must include the preceding attribution and is subject to the Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. Terms of Use, License Agreement, and Privacy Policy.