Keystone 11s take “if” game for District 12 title

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – The Keystone 11 all-star team made it an adventure, but their perseverance paid off Friday evening, with a 4-2 “what if” win over Montoursville to earn the District 12 championship.

It took better than 24 hours which saw some heavy Thursday night rain, two games and play on two different fields, but Coach Tony Miller’s team was able to win the third and deciding game over Montour Friday evening to claim the title.

The two teams met Thursday at Lamade Stadium with Montour needing to earn two wins to win the championship. The two teams went nose-to-nose Thursday, the game tied at 5-5 after six regulation innings; in the top of the seventh, Montour erupted for 14 runs. Three of those came at Lamade and then the rains came with the Lycoming County team still at bat.

The contest was continued to Friday and moved to the Loyalsock Little League Field. By the time that inning ended on Friday, Montour had plated its 14 runs and shut down Keystone in the bottom of the inning for the 19-5 win. It also set up the “what if” deciding game shortly thereafter.

Montoursville had the momentum at that point and jumped out with two runs in the first inning of the championship game. But Keystone answered with four of its own, taking a 4-2 lead. As it turned out, with lights-out pitching from Mack Packer and Ehan Nestor, there would be no more scoring, 4-2 the final.

Packer went the first five innings, giving up three hits and two runs, striking out four and walking six. His defense made the necessary plays behind him as Montoursville mounted multiple threats throughout. Nestor pitched a 1-2-3 sixth to earn the save.

Keystone punched out eight singles, led by Drayton Packer with two. Singles also came from Lincoln Prough, Nestor, Mack Packer, Austin Dupert, Brad Brungard and Colt Hill. Prough was 1-1 and hit two pitches, Nestor 1-for-1 and hit by one.

In the earlier game Keystone was held to four hits, singles from Nestor and Carter Miller, a triple from Brayden Wolfgang and a double Abel Jarrells.

Keystone advances to the sectional tournament, dates for that event July 14-18.

Championship final:

M 2 00 0 0 0 0 = 2-3-3

K 4 0 0 0 0 0 x = 4-8-3