Keystone 9-11 All-Stars Outlast Valley West 11-9

MOUNT UNION – The Keystone 9-11 All-Stars took another step toward a state title by outlasting a scrappy Valley West team 11-9.

Keystone jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the first inning and were never really threatened, though Valley West continued to inch their way back and had a late rally that came up short in the top of the sixth inning.

Keystone pounded out 14 hits on the effort including including multiple hits from Ashton Probst – 2 for 3, 3-run HR; Luke Simcox – 2 for 4 with a HR and one RBI; Chase Brush 2 for 3; HR; 2 RBIs; Cru Stover 2 for 4, 2-run HR; 2 RBIs and Owen Gill 2 for 3, HR; 2 RBIs.

On the mound it was another group effort with a comfortable lead for most of the game, the coaching staff switched Keystone hurlers often to keep the individual pitch count down in order to have fresh arms for the remainder of their bottom bracket run.

Ashton Probst, the starter, got the win; struck out 3; walked 2. The Owen Gill, Luke Simcox, Ben Herrick and Matt Conklin all saw time on the mound in relief. Conklin was credited with the ‘save. Herrick had 3 strike outs; Conklin had 2, including the final out.

In the fourth inning, a key double play was pulled for Keystone by Chase Brush and Cru Stover with Brush fielding line drive fly ball catching a Valley West runner off second, then threw it instantly to Stover to complete the double play.

New, Keystone will face the winner of the Abington vs Lionville game Tuesday, Aug. 2 at 8 p.m. The start time has been moved due to the postponement of tonight game which has been moved to 5:30 p.m. with the Keystone game to follow.

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