The Mount Union High School baseball squad captured the District 6 Class 2A championship on Thursday, downing Bellwood-Antis 7-2 in a game played at Claysburg.
Right-hander Jamon Ranck delivered a complete game, scattering six hits while striking out 11 batters, keeping the opposition at bay throughout.
A five-run fifth inning
The decisive moment came in the fifth inning, when a five-run burst turned a close contest into a comfortable lead. Levi Hunsinger’s two-run single sparked the rally, driving in two runs that pushed the tally to five.
Contributions flowed from across the lineup: Maddox Hobbs added a timely hit, and Rahmeir Smith followed with a clutch RBI single, while Nick Imperioli and Beau Wise also chipped in with key singles.
Coaches reflect on the journey
Coach Tim Hicks, who has steered the program for a decade and guided it to a state title in 2019, praised the team’s execution and resilience, noting that the championship reflects months of disciplined work.
Bellwood-Antis coach Adam Plummer expressed pride in his team’s season, highlighting the upset victory over top-seeded Bishop McCort Catholic earlier in the year and emphasizing the bright future ahead.
The game also featured a leadoff triple by Chase Plummer that scored the first run for Bellwood-Antis, and Nasir Collins opened the scoring for Mount Union with a run in the bottom of the first inning.
Despite committing four errors, the Raiders finished the year with a 13-10 record, a testament to a competitive season that included several close victories.
Future outlook
Looking ahead, Bellwood-Antis will return a solid nucleus for 2027, graduating only three seniors, while Mount Union aims to build on its recent successes.