Undefeated Central (Martinsburg) was down 3-1 to Punxsutawney heading into the fifth inning last night at First Commonwealth Bank Field in Homer City, but after two batters were hit by pitches, Devon Boyles hammered a three-run home run to left-center, driving their boisterous fans into a frenzy. Pitcher Ty Helsel later hit a two-run single, aided by a throwing error, to make it 6-3, and the Scarlet Dragons held off a two-run Punxsy rally to win the state Triple-A playoff game, 6-5.
Central will play Lancaster Catholic for the state championship on Friday.
