STATE COLLEGE – If you like a good pitcher’s duel, this was the game for you.

Both Branson Diller of Bermudian Springs and Cooper Hochendoner of South Park were outstanding in this one, as there were just seven total hits and one run scored.

Diller was just a bit better, and because of that, Head Coach Jeff Carpenter and Bermudian Springs win their second state title in program history. The first came in 2010 with a 5-3 win over Central Martinsburg.

“For these last two weeks in the state tournament, they just played their hearts out,” said Carpenter. “Everyone deserved it on that team in red and I couldn’t be happier for those kids that we get to bring this thing back to Bermudian Springs.”

Bermudian Springs got on the board for the game’s only run in the bottom of the second. Jaxsyn Stottlemeyer singled to begin the inning, one of just two hits on the day for the Eagles, and stole second to get himself another 90 feet.

After some great situational hitting by Nate Ogle got him over to third base on a ground out, the smart situational hitting continued when Brodie Ferrebee sent a fly ball out to center field that was deep enough to score Stottlemeyer.

Bermudian Springs had a golden chance to add onto their lead in the bottom of the fourth when Gavin Reinert smacked a double down the right field line, and the ball was misplayed, allowing Reinert to get to third base with just one out.

However, Cooper Hochendoner was able to pick up a strikeout and a fly out to strand him at third and keep the deficit at just 1-0.

South Park looked like they may have something going in the fifth when Nolan Oliphant singled with one out, but Brayden Heller and Gavin Reinert turned a very smooth 5-3 double play to erase the threat.

This game certainly had some dull moments, but it was all building up to what we saw in the top of the seventh.

With Diller looking to close out his third complete game of the state tournament, South Park got back-to-back singles by Logan Ludwig and Aiden Hays to put the tying and go-ahead runs on base with just one out.

After a Nolin Oliphant groundout moved both runners up 90 feet, the stage was set.

With the season on the line and a base hit potentially giving South Park the lead, Diller’s 95th pitch was sent in the air to left field and right into the glove of left fielder Linkoln Heagy for the final out.

Diller ended up allowing just five hits over seven shutout innings with five strikeouts. He did not walk a single batter, but two batters did reach by hit by pitch.

Cooper Hochendoner threw one of the best games by a losing pitcher in state title history as he allowed just two hits and the one earned run and struck out ten in the process. He allowed just one walk.

For the Bermudian Springs community, this one means the world.

“This community has been nothing but great the last two weeks with states,” said Carpenter. “The sendoffs, the meals being planned, the shirts that one of our parents made where we sold over 200, it just shows what this means to the community and I’m so happy for everybody.”

It had been a postseason of tight and stressful games for the Eagles, and the state title ending was no different. The Eagle state playoff wins were 4-0, 4-3 on a walkoff, 3-1, and now 1-0.

Jeff Carpenter wouldn’t want it any other way.

“It’s been like that the last three games for us,” said Carpenter. “We were ready for the big situations, ready for the close games, so I think the hard work that they practiced, it just made it easier for them.”

Congratulations as well for Head Coach Corey Fischer for an unbelievable season in which they ended at 20-7.

But today belongs to Bermudian Springs.

Photo: Bermudian Springs Head Coach Jeff Carpenter and 1B Gavin Reinert