STATE COLLEGE — After falling to Hollidaysburg 7-0 in the opening game of the 11U Section 4 Tournament, State College battled through numerous weather-related changes and delays throughout the week to advance through the loser’s bracket and set up a rematch with Hollidaysburg for the Section 4 Championship. Unfortunately for State College, dominant pitching and timely hitting led Hollidaysburg to a 4-2 win and the Section 4 championship Saturday afternoon at Montresor Field.
The game was scoreless until the fourth inning. Roman Shubik started the inning with a walk and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Liam Weikert singled home Shubik for the game’s first run. Zach Cohen doubled, moving Weikert to third. Simon Rettig hit a line drive to center that scored Weikert and increased Hollidaysburg’s lead to 2-0. Carter Campbell hit a fly ball that fell just beyond the outstretched arm of State College shortstop Daniel Manter, scoring Rettig. The throw home got away from catcher Aiden Pleskonko, allowing Cohen to cross the plate and giving Hollidaysburg a 4-0 lead.
State College threatened in the bottom of the fourth. Daniel Manter started the inning with a single to right. Matthew Manter hit a shot to third base, but Hollidaysburg third baseman Joe Runk made a fantastic play and was able to get the force out at second. Matthew Manter advanced to third on two wild pitches, and Isaac Lunn walked, giving State College two runners with just one out. Liam Weikert, who was excellent on the mound, struck out Aiden Pleskonko before getting Christian Eury to ground out to first, ending the threat.
State College finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. After two quick outs, Weikert walked Brighton Black, and AJ Leon. Logan Zook was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Black stole home, and Leon scored on a throwing error while attempting to advance to third as State College cut the lead to 4-2. State College manager Dave Manter talked about the resilience of his team to battle back.
“All season long, our motto has been to respond, and regardless of the outcome, we just wanted to make sure we were competing to our standards, and they did that every pitch.”
The 4-2 score would be as close as State College would get. Hollidaysburg shut the door in the sixth inning to claim the Section 4 title while going undefeated in the four-team tournament. Winning pitcher Liam Weikert allowed one earned run while striking out nine. Weikert also contributed offensively with two hits. Carter Campbell drove in two runs in the victory. Daniel Manter and Nelson Stager each had a hit for State College, which finished the tournament with two wins.
Manter reflected on the experience.
“I just told the boys I couldn’t be more proud of the team. The community was fantastic and supported us the whole way. It was fun.”
Hollidaysburg now advances to the state tournament in Selinsgrove, which runs from July 23 through July 29.
