Milton majors win state title over Brandywine
The 95-degree weather wasn’t the only thing that was hot July 27, as the Milton 11-12 All-Stars’ bats were smoking, delivering 18 hits in the 16-4 victory over a tough Brandywine team in the state championship at Newark’s National Little League Park. With the win, the Milton squad advances to the Eastern Regional tournament in Bristol, Conn., slated for Aug. 7-13.
Milton was led by Chase Boyle’s four hits – two home runs and two doubles – and six RBIs for the downstate boys of summer. He also picked up the win on the mound, pitching 5 2/3 innings, striking out four Brandywine batters while allowing just four hits and walking three. Hunter Rauch came in to record the final out.
Milton started off fast, as Boyle doubled in a run in the first and Carter Breasure added a two-run single.
Tyler Husbands picked up an RBI single in the second and in the third. Milton added two more runs in the fourth with Boyle’s two-run shot.
Boyle homered and doubled, booking three RBIs in the sixth, while Luke Crouch knocked in two runs on a single in the sixth and teammate Kye Wells doubled in another. Two more runs were scored on passed balls by the Brandywine catcher.
Milton scored 41 runs in the last three games of the state championship.
“I’m proud of the boys. We came here with just one day rest,” said manager Rusty Rauch of the time between the District 3 championships and the start of the states. “But it worked out.”
When asked how if feels after four District 3 runs and state appearances with this squad, two as 9-10 champs and two with 11-12, the Milton manager was all smiles.
“It feels great,” said Rauch. “It’s what we’ve worked for for the last four years. These kids make it easy to coach. They really like each other and have fun playing together.”
Rauch was quick to praise others for help with the Milton championship run.
“We’ve got a bunch of good parents who have been working with their kids year round through travel ball,” he said. “We have an indoor place to practice year round and it’s paying off. I love these guys.”
