1984 District Tournament

"A big win. It wasn't as easy as you might think. Suburban is always tough and it wouldn't surprise me to see them back here Saturday. McMurtrie mixed his pitches well. I guess you could say Boo had their number tonight." - Bellefonte Manager Al Thal after win over Suburban - Dixon, J. (1984, July 19). Bellefonte Shuts Out Suburban, 5-0. Centre Daily Times, p24. 

"Tough. I told you Suburban was a good team. We just blew too many opportunities. We certainly had our chances but didn't capitalize on any of them. Sometimes I just don't know what goes through their heads. We just weren't thinking out there." - Manager Al Thal after loss to Suburban forcing a deciding game three to decide the Lower Tier championship - Dixon, J. (1984, July 22). Suburban Little League All-Stars Edge Bellefonte, 5-3. Centre Daily Times, p16. 

Carlson, J. (1984, July 13). Bellefonte Powers Past Pleasant Gap. Centre Daily Times, p27. 

Bellefonte Powers Past Pleasant Gap

By JIM CARLSON Times Sports Editor

It was a battle of big pitchers at Pleasant Gap last night but, ultimately, it was Bellefonte's big hitters who decide the game.

The Bellefonte Little League All-Stars took three innings before they solved the offerings of Pleasant Gap's big T.J. Perryman, but once the power was unleashed the Bellefonte stars recorded an 11-2 win in the first round of the District 5 Playoffs.

Bellefonte had a sizable pitcher of its own in Brandon McMurtrie, and with each strikeout he recorded he looked that much bigger to the Pleasant Gap team. McMurtrie, despite some early-inning control problems, had a things pretty much his own way. Using a hard, overhand fastball and some decent off-speed stuff, he registered an impressive total of 14 strikeouts.

McMurtrie got out of the first inning with no trouble but two walks got him in a jam in the second inning. Pleasant Gap's Jason Fenush and Danny Tice drew walks and scored on a double by David Shuey that bounced over the first baseman's head and hopped, skipped and rolled all the way to the right field fence.

Pleasant Gap held its lead for two more innings before Bellefonte erupted for five runs in the final two innings.

McMurtrie was the first to get on the board for Bellefonte, as he scored on a passed ball after rapping a single to open the fourth. And while McMurtrie was striking out eight batters over the final three innings, his teammates were scoring at will.

Al Capparelle led off the fifth with a single and trotted home when Rich Rogers blasted a home run that traveled at least 250 feet, possibly 280. Little League fences measure from 180 to 200 feet away from home plate. When the ball hit the bat, the sound echoed throughout the tree-lined park in Pleasant Gap.

McMurtrie was walked and Ryan Jabco singled before Brad Baker ripped a three-run home run to right-center to give Bellefonte a 6-2 lead.

Jim Thal led off the sixth with a single for Bellefonte and scored when Capparelle sent a home run shot over the centerfield fence. Rogers scored on a four-base error for the ninth run and two more runs scored on two walks, a fielder's choice and a two-run single by Lee Fetters.

One of those runs was scored by Lori Balash, a little girl in what isn't necessarily a little boys' game anymore. Balash, who drew a walk, is reportedly only the second girl to make the all-star team at Bellefonte. The first was Beth Devlin, who now is a successful pitcher for the Penn State women's softball team.

Bellefonte will show its powerful lineup to Lewistown's A.R. Rook tonight at 6 at Bellefonte. The winner of that game will play Wednesday against the winner of tonight's Suburban-Lewistown game at 8 at Suburban.

Pleasant Gap will play Monday against the loser of tonight's Lewistown-Suburban game.

Stewart, J. (1984, July 14). Bellefonte Crushes A.R Rook, 14-3. Centre Daily Times, p10. 

Bellefonte Crushes A.R Rook, 14-3

LITTLE LEAGUE

By JERRY STEWART Times Sports Writer

The Bellefonte Little League All-Stars continued their power display last night as they rolled over visiting A.R. Rook 14-3 in the second round of the District 5 Playoff Tournament.

Bellefonte, which put a lock on the win with a 10-run first inning, hit four home runs and four doubles, raising its two-game run total to 25.

The next task for Bellefonte in the double-elimination tourney is a meeting with State College Suburban on Wednesday at Bellefonte’s Webster Field.

Winning pitcher Rich Rogers provided the biggest bulk of the offense for Bellefonte with a pair of homers – he also had one in Thursday’s opening-round 11-2 win over Pleasant Gap – and five RBI.

Jeff Donoughue also provided plenty of hitting for the winners with a single, double, home run and three RBI.

Other offensive stars for Bellefonte were Al Capparelle with a single and a homer, Brandon McMurtrie with a double and a single, Ryan Jabco with a double and Jerry Cain with a double and a single.

Capparelle, who also homered in Bellefonte’s first round win, opened the scoring barrage with a long home run over the left field fence.

Rogers followed with a walk, went to second on a wild pitch and to third on a stolen base while Shawver took the return throw from his catcher.

McMurtrie drove home his pitcher with a double down the right field line and he scored when Jabco’s two-bagger took a wicked hop over the right fielder’s head.

Brad Baker walked before Cain hit an RBI-double into the right field corner.

Donoughue then cleared the bases with a three-run homer to right-center.

Reinard took over A.R. Rook’s mound duties, but he took a while to put out the fire, giving up a two-out walk to lead-off batter Jim Thal, a single to Capparelle and a line drive homer to left to Rogers.

Reinard, a lefty, finally ended the inning with a strike out, but not before Bellefonte had gone on top 10-0 with eight hits, six of them for extra bases.

The A.R. Rook reliever gave up seven runs over the last 4 2/3 innings, but his curve helped him chalk up nine strikeouts.

Bellefonte scored again in the third on Rogers’ second home run, a solo blast to right.

Bellefonte’s final three runs came across in the sixth with only one hit, a bloop single over third by Thal. A bases-loaded walk by Rogers drove in the second run of the inning and an error allowed the final run to score.

Dixon, J. (1984, July 19). Bellefonte Shuts Out Suburban, 5-0. Centre Daily Times, p24. 

Bellefonte Shuts Out Suburban, 5-0

By JOHN DIXON Times Sports Writer

Al Capparelle banged out three hits while Brandon McMurtrie slugged a home run and also pitched a nifty two -hitter in leading Bellefonte’s Little League All-Stars to a 5-0 whitewashing of State College Suburban last night.

Bellefonte won the winner’s bracket of the Lower Tier in the District 5 playoffs. Bellefonte will now face the survivor of the loser’s bracket, which will be determined tomorrow when A.R. Rook of Lewistown faces Suburban at 6 p.m. in State College.

That winner will face Bellefonte Saturday at Webster Field in Bellefonte at 6 p.m. Both A.R. Rook (2-1) and Suburban (2-1) will have to defeat Bellefonte twice if they are to win the lower tier title.

McMurtrie allowed just the two hits – both swinging bunts which traveled a total of 30 feet – struck out eight and walked two.

While McMurtrie mixed his fastball and curveball effectively, it was Bellefonte’s defense which played a key role in the final outcome.

Shortstop Rich Rogers, second baseman Jim Thal, first sacker Jeff Donaughe and catcher Capparelle made five outstanding plays which took Suburban out of possible big innings.

“A big win,” said Manager Al Thal. “It wasn’t as easy as you might think. Suburban is always tough and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them back here Saturday.. McMurtrie mixed his pitches well. I guess you could say Boo had their number tonight.”

McMurtrie also had losing pitcher C.W. Tinelli’s number as he pounded a two-run homer, line drive home run in the first inning following Caparelle’s base hit and Roger’s fielder’s choice for a quick 2-0 lead.

Suburban managed to get the ball out of the infield just three times during the game – three flies to centerfielder Ryan Jabco.

Suburban managed just a pair of infield hits by Kyle Ellison and Mike Sheridan.

Hard-luck loser Tinelli pitched better than the 5-0 score indicates. Tinelli allowed six hits, walked seven and struck out 11. Suburban committed five errors which accounted for three of the five runs.

Capparelle banged out a pair of doubles and a single while McMurtrie had the home run. Rogers and Jerry Cain had the other two hits.

Capparelle’s first double to the fence in right field and a pair of errors raised the score to 3-0 in the fifth. Capparelle’s second double, followed by Roger’s infield single and three more Suburban miscues accounted for the last two runs.

“We didn’t execute fundamentally,” said Suburban’s Manager Don Leitzell, “its that simple. We failed to play to the best of our ability. We didn’t put the ball in play, taking nothing away from Bellefonte, who has a very good team, but we didn’t play up to our capabilities. We were tenative and I thought Tinelli deserved a better fate that he received.”

Dixon, J. (1984, July 22). Suburban Little League All-Stars Edge Bellefonte, 5-3. Centre Daily Times, p16. 

Suburban Little League All-Stars Edge Bellefonte, 5-3

By JOHN DIXON Times Sports Writer

Suburban’s Little League All-Stars came up with two unearned runs in the sixth inning to edge Bellefonte 5-3 in last night’s District 5 Lower Tier contest at Bellefonte.

Bellefonte (3-1) and Suburban (4-1) will square off Monday at 6 p.m. at Suburban’s home field for the Lower Tier championship.

Bellefonte, which collected just three hits in the game, wasted a pair of homers by Al Capparelle. Unfortunately for Bellefonte, both home runs were solo shots. For Capparelle it was his third and fourth home runs in four all-star games. On the regular season , Capparelle belted 18 home runs.

While Bellefonte collected just three hits off pitchers Derek Ferrell and winning hurler C. W. Tinelli, Suburban managed just two hits off loser Rich Rogers.

Mike Sheridan came up with both hits for Suburban.

“Derek really gave us a big lift,” said Manager Don Leitzell, “we were hoping to get a few innings out of Derek because C.W.’s (Tinelli) arm has been tender and we did and it was a big lift.”

Bellefonte walked 12, with four of those scoring. Suburban walked seven with just one scoring.

With one out in the last of the first Capparelle belted a line drive homer over the center field fence for a 1-0 Bellefonte lead.

Walks to Jerry Cain and Jeff Donoughe and a fielder’s choice by Lori Balash along with a wild pitch made the score 2-0 Bellefonte in the second.

Suburban tied the score at 2-2 in the second when Sheridan lined a line drive off pitcher Rogers leg. A walk to Chris McKee, a sacrifice bunt by Tinelli and a wild pitch followed by a balk accounted for the two runs.

In the third Capparelle lead off the frame with his second home run.

Bellefonte missed a great opportunity to break the game wide open in home half of the fourth. Brad Baker singled to right, was forced at second by Cain as Donoughe and Balash walked to load the bases.

Exit Ferrell. Enter Tinelli. Following a K for out number two it all came down to Tinelli against Bellefonte’s power man Capparelle. Capparelle lifted a long, deep fly ball which Bob Branstetter caught at the fence for the third out.

Suburban tied the score at 3-3 in the fifth as Doug Leitzell walked, took second on a passed ball and scored on Sheridan’s two out-run scoring base hit to center field.

The winning runs came in the top of the sixth, without the benefit of a hit. Suburban took advantage of three walks and a Bellefonte error for the two tallies.

“Tough,” said a dejected Bellefonte Manager Al Thal. “I told you Suburban was a good team. We just blew too many opportunities. We certainly had our chances but didn’t capitalize on any of them. Sometimes I just don’t know what goes through their heads. We just weren’t thinking out there.”

Carlson, J. (1984, July 24). Suburban Comes from Behind To Topple Bellefonte, 11-8. Centre Daily Times, p16. 

Suburban Comes from Behind To Topple Bellefonte, 11-8

Little League

By JIM CARLSON Times Sports Editor

Baseball is a game of emotion, Suburban Manger Don Leitzell said, and his squad of Little League all-stars used its emotion to its advantage for an 11-8 win over Bellefonte last night.

“When they came in after Bellefonte scored four runs in the second inning, that was a sad group of kids,” Leitzell explained. “But two or three kids spoke up and said ‘we’ve come this far, we’re not going to stop now."

Suburban started hitting, pitching and fielding quite well and that was enough to spark a comeback to stop Bellefonte in the District 5 Lower Tier finals.

State College Suburban plays Philipsburg tonight at 6 at the Clearfield Little League field. Fans attending should cross the Market Street bridge in Clearfield and take the second left onto West Second Avenue. The field is at the end of that street.

Suburban pitcher Doug Leitzell struggled in the early going, yielding a game-opening, opposite field home run to losing pitcher Al Capparelle. Rich Rogers singled and eventually stole home for Bellefonte’s second run of the inning.

Suburban got its first run on a home run by Bobby Branstetter, but Bellefonte tallied four times more in the bottom of the inning. Leitzell walked the bases loaded and Eric Pettina scored on an error. Ryan Jabco then cleared the bases with a double.

However, a two-run by Capparelle – his second – in the final inning was all Bellefonte would score the rest of the way.

Suburban did more than pick away at Bellefonte’s lead, it scored six runs in the third inning to take a 7-6 lead. Eleven batters were responsible for the six runs on five hits and three walks by Capparelle, who was pulled in favor of Jabco following that inning.

Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Suburban. A walk to Doug Leitzell drove in a run, a single by Branstetter got another, C.W. Tinelli hit a sacrifice fly, and diminutive Chris Leitzell singled for a pair.

“I think Bellefonte didn’t think we could hit the ball,” Leitzell said. Suburban scored twice in the fourth and fifth innings. McKee and Chris Leitzell had run-scoring walks in the fourth, while Doug Leitzell and Scott Miller rapped run-scoring hits in the fifth.

Meanwhile, Doug Leitzell – one of three Leitzells – got tougher on the mound as the game wore on. He ended up with 11 strikeouts, despite struggling with 10 walks in the two-hour game.

“Doug came through for us,” the elder Leitzell said. “All season long if he got through the first two innings he always settled down. But I was afraid we had gotten too far down. I think nerves might have gotten to him a little bit, but he came back.”

Kyle Ellison had three hits for Suburban, while Mike Sherida and Branstetter had two apiece. Capparelle’s two roundtrippers good for three runs batted in paced Bellefonte.

The winner of the Suburban-Philipsburg game tonight will play Saturday at 2 p.m.at the HRB Singer Complex at Science Park against the District 12 champion. District 12 covers the Williamsport suburbs.