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PORTAGE -- While he typically likes to deflect any attention to his players, it was difficult for Portage baseball coach Larry McCabe to stay out of the limelight Thursday.
With a thrilling 4-3 victory over No. 8 Northern Cambria in the District 6 Class 2A quarterfinals, McCabe secured his 500th career win.
"I couldn't have done any of this without all the players who made sacrifices over the years," McCabe said. "I'm really lucky to have been able to coach this team. I love the game of baseball, and I really love coaching these kids."
Following the game, the 41-year coach was greeted by past and present players in celebration of the prestigious milestone.
"He's such an amazing coach," senior Payton Zatek said. "He's so humble about his record, and he just loves his players, even more than baseball itself. He treats us all like family and loves us on and off the field."
Victory No. 500 hung in the balance for the majority of the game as Portage fended off a resilient Colts team.
Tied at three in the bottom of the eighth, a double from Jackson Kozlovac provided the Mustangs the spark they needed.
Portage loaded the bases with a Northern Cambria error and intentional walk.
Kozlovac was forced-out at home after Kaden Claar fielded into a fielder's choice, but on the ensuing at-bat, Luke Scarton crushed a line drive to left field to drive in the winning run as Portage eked out the victory.
"We just kept fighting," Kozlovac said. "We fought until the eighth inning, and we never doubted ourselves. We came out victorious today because we stayed on it and stayed on top."
Portage got the outcome it needed, but not without an early surge from Northern Cambria (8-10).
Mike Hoover crushed a solo shot in the first inning to give the Colts an early lead, and a series of miscues kept Northern Cambria in the game.
Zach Taylor scored in the third following a failed kickoff attempt by Portage, and a balk by Mustang pitcher Josh Morgan knotted the game up in the fifth.
"Our team has battled all season," Colts coach Brian Bougher said. "They're a resilient group, and I wish it could've been a different result for our guys. They really fought."
Portage (17-4) was aided by a three-run third courtesy of Andrew Miko (two RBI) and Tyler Alexander, but the Mustangs struggled for much of the day against Northern Cambria lefty Josh Miller, who hurled seven innings and allowed four hits while striking out six.
Miller and the Colts infield executed a hidden ball trick play with two outs in the seventh inning to pick off Portage's Connor Binaut at second base.
"You talk about a game-changing moment," McCabe said. "It really fooled us, and that was a big momentum changer for them. It could've been costly."
Portage was also fueled by timely pitching from Morgan, who stepped on the hill in the fifth inning.
Despite allowing the balk, he surrendered just two hits and fanned seven over four innings.
"Josh came in and did a tremendous job," McCabe said. "He gave up a run on a balk, but he settled in. He really helped keep us alive."
The Mustangs now move on to the Class 2A semifinals where they will face Southern Huntingdon at home Tuesday.
The Rockets (15-4) defeated United Thursday, 7-0.
PORTAGE (4): Kozlovac p-ss 311, Miko cf 411, Alexander dh 411, Morgan 1b-p 300, Claar ss-2b 400, Scarton 3b 401, Kargo rf-1b 300, Zatek lf 300, Irvin c 202. Totals-30-4-6.
NORTHERN CAMBRIA (3): Sedlock cf 411, Bougher ss 300, Hoover 1b-c 412, Wiewiora c-p 301, Miller p-1b 401, Kudlawiec 2b 200, Yachtis ph 100, Yahner dh 100, Dumm rf 300, Taylor lf 212. Totals-28-3-7.
SCORE BY INNING
Northern Cambria 101 010 00 -- 3-7-3
Portage 003 000 01 -- 4-6-2
E--Kozlovac, Morgan, Miller, Hoover, Kudlawiec. 2B-- Kozlovac, Miko, Hoover. HR--Hoover. RBI--Miko 2, Alexander, Scarton, Hoover.
PITCHING
Northern Cambria: Wiewiora (L)-- 1IP, 2H, 1K, 1BB, 1R, 0ER, 11 pitches. Miller-- 7IP, 4H, 6K, 0BB, 3R, 3ER, 90 pitches.
Portage: Morgan (W)--4 IP, 2H, 7K, 2BB, 1R, 0ER, 68 pitches. Kozlovac--4IP, 5H, 7K, 1BB, 2R, 2ER, 60 pitches.
Records: Portage (17-4), Northern Cambria (8-10)