And that combination has Loyalsock gaining momentum.

Both made big impacts Friday, setting the tone as every player made a positive contribution. Rall went 2 for 2 with a home run and ignited two game-changing rallies, while Kulp threw a three-hit complete game gem as Loyalsock defeated Jersey Shore, 10-2 in a battle of playoff bubble teams.

Chase Wright also homered, Kayden Keefer went 2 for 3 with three RBIs and Loyalsock (8-8) scored the game’s final seven runs over the final three innings.

“I’m feeling good out there,” Kulp said after throwing his third consecutive complete game. “I was ready to go and I know that I have a good team behind me, backing me up.

Dolan Harman of Loyalsock gets the force out at first base during the sixth inning on Mason Winters of Jersey Shore in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. Loyalsock won, 10-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“We can rely on everybody now,” Rall said. “We’re just going out there and we’re letting it all out.”

Rall has fought injuries throughout the season but is feeling as well as he has all season and it’s perfect timing. The left fielder provided thunder down under in Loyalsock’s lineup, hitting in the No. 8 spot and fueling rallies which produced seven runs with a lead-off single and home run.

Rall showcased his speed in the third inning, hustling to leg out an infield single which set the stage for three runs as Loyalsock erased a 1-0 deficit. Two innings later, it was Rall’s power which shined through when he slammed a home run over the right field fence.

Rall has two high school home runs, both at Jersey Shore, and this one put Loyalsock ahead, 4-2. That dinger fanned the flames which became an inferno as Loyalsock scored three more times that inning and took control.

“The coaches are so happy for him. He’s had the injury bug for us this year and he’s finally fully healthy,” Loyalsock coach Jimmy Webb said. “He gets his chance and he looks great. He’s been chomping at the bit and he’s been playing great.”

Kayden Keefer of Loyalsock runs to first on a 2-RBI single against Jersey Shore in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. Loyalsock won, 10-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“I was just trying to get on base and get a pitch that I like. I was looking for something in the middle. I got a good swing on it and luckily it went over,” Rall said. “It felt great. Everybody was swinging it tonight. We were all looking for one pitch and if we got it, we swung.”

They were swinging quite effectively, too. The Lancers piled up 10 hits, seven over the final three innings off two excellent pitchers. Wright continued his hot hitting when he put Loyalsock ahead to stay, tattooing a two-run home run over the center field fence and making it, 3-1.

Wright’s blast followed Keefer’s game-tying RBI double which had tied the game. Following Rall’s home run, both hitters were heavily involved in another Loyalsock flurry. Preston Gross and Keefer walked and Wright beat out an infield single, Gross scoring on the throw to first which Wright beat to the bag. John Kiel then smashed a two-run double down the left field line and Loyalsock went ahead, 7-2 while improving to 4 for 5 with runners in scoring position at that point.

“I’m proud of our two-strike approach. We at least are going to put the ball in play,” Webb said. “We’re going to battle. It might not look great but we’re not going to strikeout and I’m proud of them for that.”

Quality at-bats continued providing impressive results an inning later. After Drake Dupont singled and Rall was hit by a pitch, Keefer smashed a two-run double, extending the lead to, 9-2. Seven Lancers delivered hits and eight reached base, helping Loyalsock scored at least one run in four of the last five innings.

Chase Wright of Loyalsock watches the overthrow to first during the 5th inning against Jersey Shore in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. Wright went to second on the overthrough. Loyalsock won, 10-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

And the way Kulp has been pitching, a seven-run lead felt more like a 27-run advantage. The senior leader has won his last three starts, hurling a complete game each time and allowing just two runs in those contests. The right-hander held Jersey Shore (8-8) to one hit over the final four innings Friday, struck out nine and walked just one, working both economically and powerfully.

“I was feeling good out there and they gave me great support,” Kulp said. “That was a big help and I could just go out there and throw.”

Kulp has been throwing as well as he ever has down the stretch, helping Loyalsock remain firmly in the playoff race. Mixing his pitches, working ahead and excelling in big moments, Kulp has held three straight opponents to just eight hits in 19 innings, while striking out 29. Both his stuff and demeanor are making Loyalsock a better team.

“I can’t say enough about Deryk’s leadership. He takes the ball, doesn’t complain and just wins us ball games,” Webb said. “You can see it. There’s an aura to him and the guys feed off it. This year we’ve tried to bring Deryk along, so he peaks at this time. Last year I think he ran out of gas toward the Backyard Brawl. This year I think he’s picking up steam.”

Loyalsock remained cool even when things went wrong against Jersey Shore. The Lancers made four errors, but came back strong each time and countered with some fabulous plays. That included catcher Jaydn Wagner throwing out a runner trying to steal for a third time in two games and first baseman Dolan Harman, who earlier started a double play, making a snap throw home to cut down a potential sixth inning run.

Preston Gross of Loyalsock is safe at second base as Landon Welshans of Jersey Shore tries to make the play in the 5th inning in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. Loyalsock won, 10-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Dupont made some impressive plays at shortstop and a team which started the season 0-3 continued to fight its way back no matter what hand it was dealt. Time after time Friday, the Lancers turned those hands into royal flushes.

“We made a couple errors but we came right back,” Rall said. “We always got the next out and kept going forward. That’s what you have to do.”

That is Jersey Shore’s goal now following a third consecutive loss. The Bulldogs cannot do anything about those games but they can shape their future going forward. Zach Myers provided a highlight Friday, hitting a two-out RBI single which pulled the Bulldogs within 3-2. Collin Berguson roped a sixth inning double and shortstop Nolen Pauling made an incredible play in the hole, robbing Dupont of a fourth inning single, before flipping to second baseman Landon Welshans who made a quick throw which completed an inning-ending double play.

Loyalsock 10, Jersey Shore 2

Loyalsock 003 042 1–10 10 4

Nolan Rall of Loyalsock runs the bases on a home run as Zach Myers of Jersey Shore throws dirt back to the ground during the 5th inning in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. Loyalsock won, 10-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Jersey Shore 101 000 0–2 3 2

Deryk Kulp and Jaydn Wagner. Zach Myers, Nolen Pauling (5) and Hunter Enders. W–Kulp. L–Myers.

Top Loyalsock hitters: Nolan Rall 2-2, HR, BB, RBI, 3 runs; Kayden Keefer 2-3, 2B, 3 RBIs, 2 runs; Chase Wright 2-4, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; John Kiehl 1-4, 2B, 2 RBIs; Wagner 1-3, BB; Kulp 1-4; Drake Dupont 1-4, run; Preston Gross 3 BB. Top Jersey Shore hitters: Enders 1-2, BB; Myers 1-3, RBI; Collin Berguson 1-3, 2B.

Records: Loyalsock (8-8), Jersey Shore (8-8.

Nolan Rall of Loyalsock runs the bases on a home run during the 5th inning in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. Loyalsock won, 10-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Drake Dupont of Loyalsock tries to make the play at second base as Tucker Hanna of Jersey Shore is safe at second base in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. Loyalsock won, 10-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Chase Wright of Loyalsock celebrates his home run against Jersey Shore during the 3rd inning in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. Loyalsock won, 10-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Preston Gross of Loyalsock is tagged out at home in the third inning by Hunter Enders of Jersey Shore in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. Loyalsock won, 10-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Deryk Kulp of Loyalsock pitches to Jersey Shore during the first inning in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. Loyalsock won, 10-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Zach Myers of Jersey Shore pitches in the first inning to Loyalsock in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. Loyalsock won, 10-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette