Keystone 12s win Little League opener by 12-0 over ‘Sock

BALLS MILLS, Pa – The Keystone Little League 12-year-olds had a great start in District 12 playoff action, winning their opener by a 12-0 count in five innings over Loyalsock on Thursday. The team hit well, pitched well and fielded well in advancing to a winners’ bracket semifinal set for next Monday.

Keystone pounded out 14 hits against two ‘Sock pitchers, led by Ashton Falls and Luke Nonemaker at the top of the batting order. Both went 4-for-4 and Falls just missed hitting for the cycle with a homerun, two doubles and a single; Nonemaker was right behind him with a  4-for-4 log of his own with two singles and two doubles; number three hole hitter Hayes Donley was close behind, going 2-for-4 with a triple and a homerun. Singles came from Blake King (with two) and one each from Jaiden McCloskey and Charlie Ramos.

Kyle Evertt went the first four on the mound for Keystone. He gave up a leadoff single to ‘Sock’s Parker Frederick but did not surrender anything more than a third inning walk in four shutout innings, striking out four and walking one. Donley came on and put up one inning of shutout ball in relief, striking out three while surrendering two singles.

Meanwhile the Keystone defense was flawless behind the pitchers, both the infield and outfield turning in multiple standout plays.

With the win, manager Ben Falls’ team moves into a Monday winners’ bracket semifinal, to be played at the Loyalsock field at 5:45 p.m. The opponent will be Montoursville, a 12-1 winner over Williamsport Area on Thursday.

K 1 0 2 3 6 =  12-14-0

L 0 0 0 0 0 =   0 – 3- 2