BR state playoff run ends after first round

After a thrilling ride to the District II Class 2A baseball title the magic ran out for Blue Ridge at historic Bowman Field in Williamsport.

Behind the brilliant pitching of Tripp Breen and a potent offense District 4 Champion South Williamsport ended the Raiders’ season with an 11-0, five inning victory in the first round of the state playoffs.

Breen struck out eight of the ten Blue Ridge batters he faced and after scoring for in each of the first two innings the Mounties erupted for six runs and batted around the order in the third.

“We were just outmatched,” noted Blue Ridge Coach Billy Marvin. “(Breen) just overpowered us.”

Blue Ridge did manage two hits off of reliever Logan Burgett and hit several other balls hard but just at South Williamsport fielders.

Despite the loss Marvin was able to relish what his team had accomplished this season and how much his seniors have grown during their time with the program.

“To have them for four years and watch them grow into young men was an amazing experience for me,” said Marvin. “What they have given me is priceless.”

Marvin added that winning the District title and reaching the state playoff reflected his team’s commitment to each other.

“Their unselfishness towards each other was really a transformation that was something to watch,” added Marvin. “Winning a district title is hard to do. Without becoming one solid group it wouldn’t have happened.