Keystone Intermediates off to 2-0 start in state tournament
By Bees O’Brien
NORTH BETHLEHEM- Keystone Intermediates opened their state playoffs on high note with consecutive victories.
Keystone would open the playoffs with a close 4-3 win over Haverford Township on Friday and would continue their winning ways against West Side Little League by a 9-6 count.
In Friday’s win, Keystone would slug out 9 hits and use runs in the sixth and seventh inning to overcome a tough Haverford Township squad.
Keystone led 2-1, but a fifth inning Haverford run would tie things up at 2-2. Keystone would respond with the two late inning runs and hold off a comeback effort from Haverford Township to take the opening round win.
Evan Batterson and Carter Frank led the way for Keystone with two hits each. Hayden Hanley would connect on a home run and Logan Bower, Maverick Shultz and Bryan Rote also had hits for Keystone.
Keystone would then meet West Side Little League with a spot in the state championship on the line Saturday.
Keystone’s power game would prove to be the difference against West Side. Keystone would hit 5 home runs in the contest and advance to the state finals by a 9-6 tally.
Keystone jumped out to a big 7-1 lead through the first three innings, but West Side would battle back. West Side would plate a single run in the fourth inning and use a big 4-run sixth inning to shrink the Keystone lead to just one run at 7-6.
Keystone would tack on some much-needed insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to hold a 9-6 lead, which would end up being the final score.
Bryan Rote and Hayden Hanley would power the Keystone offense, each hitting two home runs. Evan Edwards also connected on a Keystone long ball. Edwards also led Keystone on the mound by striking out 8 batters in five innings of work.
Logan Bower and Logan Daniel each connected on a pair of hits. Trey Lapp also had a hit for a Keystone club that would hammer 11 hits on the day.
Keystone will now play Monday at 2pm for the Intermediate State Championship.
