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Gazette and Bulletin: August 21, 1948 – Pennsylvania Champs Top Florida in National Finals

Lock Haven, Pennsylvania state champions, came up with four runs yesterday in fourth inning yesterday afternoon to gain a 6-5 victory over St. Petersburg, Fla. And cart home the Keds National Little League Tournament crown won last year by Williamsport Maynard.

And in the consolation contest, Hammonton, N.J. easily stopped Williamsport Loyalsock 10-1, in a twilight battle.

The Havenites moved into the first round with victories over Alexandria, Va. and Loyalsock, while St. Pete entered the championship round with triumphs over Middletown, Conn. And Hammonton.

A record-breaking crowd of upward of 4,000 made restless by the usual pre-game ceremonies — watched the title game under a blistering sun. Several spectators who were overcome by heat exhaustion left the game.

The championship game was a nip-and-tuck affair with the outcome undecided until the final man was retired. The Sunshine City lads got away to an early 3-0 lead then staged a late inning rally that fell short when Gary Kelly struck out Don Eberle with two lads on the path.

Eberle, the boy who paced the winners’ attack Friday night three-for-three, smacked out a two-run homer in the first inning, And his blow over the left field barrier was followed by another homer by Ralph Patton, Patton’s wallop cleared the right-center field wall, getting to starter Freddy Willis for one in the first and another singleton in the second. Willis, who pitched the opening round shutout for St. Petersburg, was lifted in the second in favor of Bob Widener.

Immediately following the games, Charles J. Durbin, assistant advertising director for the United States Rubber Company, made the trophy presentations. J. Gordon Fowler accepted championship award for Lock Haven. Mr. Fowler is president of the Baseball Leagues Inc., at Lock Haven.

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