It was a span that was filled with more close calls than Keystone would’ve liked, one where its biggest strengths were needed and ultimately, presented.

There was a lot that factored into the avoidance of those close calls. Keystone’s offense, while shaky with runners on base, was able to break through when it mattered most on multiple occasions, erasing two late deficits and even pulling off an extra-innings rally.

But its defense, most notably its pitching, was what kept the offense in position to strike at any time, an aspect it would’ve greatly struggled without. Following its opening inning of the tournament, Keystone pitchers didn’t surrender a single earned run through 18 straight innings, and all 18 of those counted.

Going into the tournament, it wasn’t a secret that Keystone had sure arms. Its ace, Adam Meyer, had pitched over 14 innings while surrendering just one earned run, with Gio Cej proving a more than reliable No. 2 and Carter Leone and Dylan McDermott shining in brief reliever call-ups.

MATT PATTON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Keystone’s Carter Leone prepares to pitch during the Section 3 major baseball championship against Selinsgrove on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Athens. Keystone won 4-3.

What wasn’t clear was one, how perfect Meyer and Cej would have to play, and two, what the team would do without either pitcher available. Low scores in their respective appearances required Meyer and Cej to expend their future availability. Without them, McDermott expected to roll with a mixed-bag scenario, a scenario which could go a lot of different ways.

“I would say our top three are Dylan McDermott, Brooks Warner and Carter Leone, but we have a lot of other arms behind them that can throw as well,” said McDermott following Sunday’s win. “We’re just gonna play it by ear and see which one’s throwing the ball well that day.”

Leone would ultimately get named the starter. And while thoroughly tested, he would go on make it three straight lockdown performances from the mound for Keystone.

Despite pairs of errors in the field in the first and sixth, Leone managed to keep the damage to a minimum on both occasions, forcing out to keep their deficit low early and their lead late. He posted a complete game, pitched four scoreless innings, walked zero batters and scattered five hits, giving up multiple in an inning just once.

“We discussed bringing in either Brooks (Warner) or Dylan (McDermott) or both if he got into too much trouble, but he pitched a heck of a game,” said McDermott on Leone. “Can’t speak highly enough on what he did. He kept us in this game.”

MATT PATTON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Keystone’s Carter Leone pitches during the Section 3 major baseball championship against Selinsgrove in Athens on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Keystone won 4-3.

It’s a performance that should be assuring for coaches and fans, not just because it helped Keystone win, but also because of what it means heading into states. It emphasizes McDermott’s confidence in the team’s pitching core, one that we haven’t quite seen the full extent of through two rounds.

“We’re pretty deep pitching wise as far as experience,” said McDermott prior to sectionals. “Everybody can do it.”

As the going continues to get tougher, it’s an aspect of this team that could pay dividends down the stretch. With more timely hitting, who knows how far Keystone can go?

SURE, FOR SURE

Those aforementioned sure arms deserve a shoutout as well, arms which did the heavy lifting on the team’s way to Tuesday’s championship game. Through their last 12 innings pitched, Meyer and Cej combined for 23 strikeouts, four walks, two surrendered hits and zero runs, near-perfection in a nutshell.

MATT PATTON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Keystone’s Adam Meyer gets his face painted before the Section 3 major baseball championship in Athens on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Keystone won 4-3.

Against Elk Lake in Game One on Saturday, Meyer stranded two runners in the first, then never faced two runners for the next five, striking out 11 and only leaving one out to go when reaching his pitch limit in extras. With that performance, he heads into states with 38 strikeouts, ten walks, six hits and one earned run surrendered through 20 1/3 innings pitch, good for an ERA of .296.

“At this age, he’s one of those kids that can throw hard, and his curve ball, slider – he’s got really good command of those,” said McDermott on Meyer, who’s been pitching for about three years. “Whether it’s 3-2 or what, I have no problem calling an off-speed pitch because he can locate it. So, it keeps batters on their toes. They really don’t know what’s coming.”

And after surrendering a two-run shot in said opener, Cej came back on a mission in Game Two, leading Keystone to a shutout win against Selinsgrove. There, he surrendered one fourth-inning hit, one sixth-inning walk and that was it, as two Selinsgrove runners got on base and he struck out 12.

“That was my second time pitching coming off an injury that sat me out for about a month,” said Cej when discussing the performance on Tuesday. “So, I just had to work back and on Sunday, I just got back to normal. Hopefully, I can keep it that way.”

With that performance, Cej heads into states with 21 strikeouts, six walks, four hits and three earned runs surrendered, good for an ERA of 1.74.

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Keystone's Dylan McDermott pitches during a Section 3 tournament game against Elk Lake on Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Athens. Keystone won 7-2 in seven innings.

“He’s a big boy,” said McDermott on Cej. “When he lets go of the ball, the pitcher’s mound is 46 feet away and with his six-foot wingspan, he’s bringing the heat at a lot closer of a distance than most kids.”

How the team preserves their pitch counts could be a huge driving factor in Keystone prospering at states. Then again, if Tuesday was any indication, they might have some leeway there.

REACH FOR THE SKY

In discussing Keystone’s defensive success through sectionals, I’d be remiss if I forgot to mention what was likely the play of the entire event.

With the team trailing 2-0 with two outs in the second, Selinsgrove centerfielder Riley Rumberger drilled what seemed to be a one-shot homer over the center field wall. But Keystone centerfielder Brooks Warner saw differently, tracking down the ball before leaping up to snatch it.

“Saw a ball in the air and had to go down and get it,” said Warner when discussing the play.

Had he not made the effort, that ball was gone and who knows where the game goes from there. Considering the 4-3 final score and the momentum that came with that play, it’s fair to say it could’ve gone a lot differently.