PHOTO PROVIDED West End's 14-year-old Babe Ruth all-star team defeated Broomall Newton to win the Pennsylvania state title on Wednesday and advance to the Mid-Atlantic Regional tournament.

West End’s 14-year-old all-star team is the best in Pennsylvania. The Babe Ruth all-star team from West End edged out Broomall Newton in a close contest, 5-4, to win the Babe Ruth 14-year-old state championship game at Logue Field on Wednesday.

With the victory, West End advances to the Mid-Atlantic Regional tournament next week in Altoona.

“It feels great to be a back-to-back state champion especially with some new kids on the team,” Hess said. “We have three new kids from last year’s team. It’s something these kids will remember forever.”

Broomall Newton held a 1-0 lead after the first inning before West End scored twice to take a 2-1 lead after three.

Broomall Newton again scored in the top of the fourth. That’s when West End had a big single from Jaymes Carpenter, who drove in two runs to give West End a 4-2 lead.

“Jaymes came up huge with the clutch hit. He started the first few games at states and we told him he would be coming off the bench in a crucial situation, and it makes us coaches look great when he comes through like he did,” Hess said.

Broomall Newton would score twice in the fifth to tie the game before West End went ahead for good with a run in the bottom of the fifth.

“The kids didn’t play their best game today, but they worked through their mistakes and never folded when times got tough,” West End manager Marc Hess said. “Would rather play a 5-4 game every day of the week compared to a blowout. The kids get better by playing in those types of games.”

West End out-hit Broomall Newton, 8-6. Nate Crowe went 2 for 3 with an RBI, Zion Hughes was 2 for 3 with an RBI, LJ Hill went 1 for 2 with a run sore, Zach Neill went 1 for 3 with two runs scored and Deshaun White was 1 for 2 with a run.

Noah Kirby, Hill, Crowe and Hughes combined on the mound for the win as Crowe picked up the victory.

“As always we appreciate all the fan support. Our kids really enjoyed playing in front of some bigger crowds at home,” Hess said.

B.N. 100 120 0 — 4 6 3

West End 011 210 x — 5 8 3

N. Kirby, L. Hill (3), N. Crowe (4), Z. Hughes (6) and L. Miller. W: Crowe.

Top West End hitters: J. Carpenter 1-1, 2 RBIs; Z. Hughes 2-3, RBI; L. Hill 1-2, run; Z. Neill 1-3, 2 runs; N. Crowe 2-3, RBI; D. White 1-2, run.