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A different day, a different hero for the Montoursville junior baseball team. This time it was the masterful and powerful pitching of James Williams and Elijah Eck.
Williams went six full innings allowing only two hits and two walks, in shutting down a powerful Springfield team, by a score of 3-1, to advance to the Pennsylvania winners’ bracket final on Wednesday in Athens.
With the win, Montoursville faces either Athens or Mid Valley at 2 p.m.
Williams reached his pitch limit after six innings and Eck came in and gave up a harmless infield single before retiring the side.
Montoursville struck first in the top of the fourth inning to get a runner to first when when Springfield’s third baseman could not handle his hard shot down the third-base line. After two outs, Austin Davidson delivered the first run with wth a single to left.
In the bottom of the fourth, Springfield answered right back as Pooch Sokez hit a single, stole second and third, and came home on Brandon Noonan's sacrifice fly. Little did Springfield know, that was the last run they would score, making it 1-1.
Montoursville took back the lead in the top of the fifth when Brannson Fogleman hit a shot the the shortstop could not handle and was safe at first. Issac Erlandson then singled down the third base line and after one out, Bryce Parker drew a walk, loading the bases. James Williams little brother Ryan came to the plate and on a 1-2 count, was hit by a pitch driving in the run, for a 2-1 lead.
After going ahead, Montoursville never let Springfield tie it again.
After one out in the sixth, Cy Heddings hit a long triple down the right field line and Eck drove him in on the first pitch thrown to him and put Montoursville up, 3-1.
Montoursville’s pitching has been outstanding so far in states, only yielding six hits, six walks and three runs without an error, while Montoursville’s offense has pounded out 15 hits, caused four errors and received eight walks.
Montoursville still has to clean up its timely hitting as they have left 19 runners stranded in its two games.
Montoursville 3, Springfield 1
(JUNIOR STATE TOURNAMENT)
Montoursville 000 111 0 – 3 7 0
Springfield 000 100 0 -1 3 2
James Williams, Elijah Eck (7) and Austin Davidson. Gus May, Pooch Sokez (6) and Brandon Noonan. W: Williams. L: May. S: Eck.
Top Montoursville hitters: Austin Davidson 2-3, RBI; James Williams 2-3, Elijah Eck 1-3, RBI; Issac Erlandson 1-3; Cy Heddings 1-3, 3B, run; jay Houseknecht 2 BB; Branson Fogleman run; Ryan Williams HBP, RBI; Talon McKenna run. Top Springfield hitters: Pooch Sokez 1-3, run; Zahir Miller 1-2, BB; Brandon Noonan sac fly, RBI.