With two runners on base and two outs, Loyalsock pitcher Haydn Watkins struck the final batter out to secure the 9-8 victory over DuBois at Pittston on?Sunday and guarantee Loyalsock a spot in the?Little?League 10-11-year-old Pennsylvania baseball state tournament semifinals on Wednesday.
Loyalsock plays West Point tonight. The game will determine who is the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds from the West division for the semifinals.
DuBois jumped ahead early in the first inning to go up, 3-0, before Loyalsock responded in the second inning with six runs, including being sparked by two home runs.
"We had a couple base hits, sacrifice bunt and then top of order came up," Loyalsock manager Eric Nagy said. "That's when Connor (Watkins) hit the home run. Aiden (Gair)'s home run capped the scoring in the second inning."
Gair and Watkins each had just one hit, both being their home runs. Evan Nagy led Loyalsock's offense, going 2 for 3.
10-11-year-old state tournament
Loyalsock 9, DuBois 8
at Pittston
Loyalsock063 000 - 9 9 2
DuBois300 410 - 8 9 1
Aiden Gair, Anthony Pastore (4), Haydn Watkins (6) and Zach Haefner. Eric Schneider, Justin Miknis (3) and Matt Miller. WP-Gair. LP-Schneider.
Top Loyalsock hitters: Connor Watkins 1-3, HR; Evan Nagy 2-3; Aiden Gair 1-3, HR. Top DuBois hitters: Matt Miller 2-4; Jordan Frano 2-3.
Next game: Loyalsock vs. West Point, today, 7 p.m. (Game to determine the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds from the West Division for Wednesday's semifinals).
