Montoursville’s 9-11 baseball team is heading to Lamade Stadium. The Montoursville all-stars defeated Loyalsock,11-1, in four innings on Monday to secure a spot in the District 12 championship at Lamade Stadium on Thursday against Keystone at 5:45 p.m.
Emerson Eck and Trey Bainbridge combined on a two-hitter, striking out four and walking four.
The game started out as a pitching duel between Eck and Loyalsock’s Mason Reeder for the first two innings. The only run scored by Montoursville happened when Easton Geary hit a one out single, went to second on a passed ball, then with two outs Jordan Houseknecht hit a screaming ground ball that was misplayed by Loyalsock, bringing home the first Montoursville run.
In the bottom of the fourth, Montour started to go to work. Landon Hepburn and Noah Gerber both singled and Zac George was hit by a pitch bringing Trey Bainbridge to the plate. Then, on the first pitch, Bainbridge hit a line drive down the right field line for a triple and three Montoursville runs.
In the top of the fourth, Mason Reeder hit a single and Eck walked the next two batters, bringing Coach Weaver out of the dugout and removing Eck for Bainbridge. Bainbridge induced the next batter into a fielders choice, scoring Reeder and then second baseman, Zac George made the play of the game by fielding the ground ball, tagging the runner and then throwing to first for the inning ending double play.
In the bottom of the fourth, Montoursville held its own Fourth of July celebration with a fireworks display of their own. Cruz Weaver had a one-out single before Carter Erlandson had a two-out single.
With two outs, Jordan Houseknecht stepped to the plate and delivered a single up the middle, scoring two runs and Houseknecht ending up on third. Paxton Petrowski, Landon Hepburn, Cord Shoulder, Noah Gerber and Zac George hit consecutive singles to end the game on the 10-run rule with a huge seven-run fourth inning.
Loyalsock was led by Mason Reeder, who went 1 for 2 with a run, and Ace Kennedy, who was 1 for 1 with a walk. Dean Girio also had an RBI and reached base thanks being hit by a pitch.
Montoursville 11, Loyalsock 1
(4 INNINGS)
Loyalsock 000 1 – 1 2 2
Montoursville 013 7- 11 14 0
Mason Reeder, Brock Foresburg (4) and Eli Johnson. Emerson Eck, Trey Bainbridge (4) and Cruz Weaver. W: Eck. L: Reeder.
Top Loyalsock hitters: Mason Reeder 1-2, run; Dean Girio HBP, RBI; Ace Kennedy 1-1, BB. Top Montoursville hitters: Trey Bainbridge 2-2, 3B, 3 RBIs; Zac George 2-2, 2B, HBP, RBI; Jordan Houseknecht 1-2, 3 RBIs, run; Cruz Weaver 1-2, run; Carter Erlandson 1-2, run; Easton Geary 1-2, run; Paxton Petrowski 1-2, RBI, run; Landon Hepburn 2-2, 2B, RBI, 2 runs; Noah Gerber 2-2,RBI, 2 runs; Cord Shoulder 1-2, RBI, run.