Well, Damschroder continued his Brawl mastery and Chilson made his first Brawl moment one to remember. And Williamsport left its stamp on Brawl history, becoming its first time three-peat champion this century.

Damschroder threw 5 2/3 brilliant innings, while going 3 for 4 with two RBIs; Chilson secured a gutsy save and Williamsport captured its third straight championship, defeating Montoursville, 5-2 Saturday at Millionaire Mountain. South Williamsport took third place, winning a 4-3 thriller against Loyalsock.

The Millionaires (16-1) also won their 14th consecutive game and secured area bragging rights against their friends for another year. That might mean as much as the trophy.

“We’ve had a lot of tough games. My freshman year we were upset in the first game, and I remember thinking I don’t want to ever have that feeling again,” Chilson said. “To go three in a row is pretty special. We were definitely aware of it (the history).”

Camden March of Williamsport fields a ball hit by Zack Neill as Jay Houseknecht of Montoursville during the top of the 5th inning in Williamsport Saturday. Williamsport won 5-2 to win their 3rd straight Backyard Brawl. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“You definitely get a lot more adrenaline because you know what’s on the line,” Damschroder said. “I’m friends with guys on all the teams that are at at the Brawl, so they always talk about us winning the Brawl and how they’re going to win the Brawl, so there’s definitely more adrenaline in games like this.”

Damschroder channeled that adrenaline into another fabulous performance, improving to 6-0 this season. The junior lefty has not allowed more than two runs in his last five starts and again left an indelible mark at the Brawl. The Millionaires are 6-0 there during Damschroder’s last three years and that’s no coincidence.

As a freshman, Damschroder entered with the bases loaded and no outs against Loyalsock, allowing no runs and earning a save. Last year, he took a win in relief, coming up huge against Montoursville. Saturday, he added a starting victory to his Brawl resume, letting just two hits leave the infield and striking out eight.

“Pitching at a tournament like this helps for playoffs and some of those other games, like the Central Mountain game, help you,” Damschroder said. “It’s definitely a different environment playing against the local teams just because of the history and all that stuff. It’s definitely a nice feeling pitching against those teams and being able to get the win for my team.”

While he possesses electric stuff and is receiving Division I interest, Damschroder has proven his toughness exceeds his immense talent. Throughout his three high school years it is that ability to stay cool when the heat is turned up to Venus-like temperatures which has brought out Damschroder’s best.

Ethan Chilson of Williamsport celebrates his team’s win over Montoursville in Williamsport Saturday. Williamsport won 5-2 to win their 3rd straight Backyard Brawl. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

He displayed that yet again Saturday. Twice, Montoursville loaded the bases with one out. Twice, Damschroder retired the next two batters and ended the threats. He did so with consecutive strikeouts in the third inning, preserving a 3-2 lead and again in the fifth, getting a strikeout and grounder to shortstop Lucas Naughton.

That makes it three times Damschroder has surrendered no hits, runs or walks with the bases loaded and either one out or no outs at three Brawl Tournaments.

“I’ll turn to my defense. I know I have a great defense behind me,” Damschroder said. “(Right fielder) Deshaun (White) had that diving catch early in the game and then Lucas had two amazing plays at shortstop,” Damschroder said. “Situations like those I know I can beat them with my arm, but I also know I can pitch to contact and that I have an amazing defense behind me that will work.”

Chilson shared that mentality when he entered in the sixth inning after Damschroder reached his 100th pitch. A player who missed two straight basketball and baseball seasons with those knee injuries made a big splash on the court last season. Now, he is becoming Williamsport’s stopper.

Chilson earned his fourth save, as well as his second straight, and also was cool under fire. First baseman Camron Spangler made a spectacular Willie Mays-style over the back catch down the right field line to close Chilson’s sixth inning before Chilson induced a grounder to open the seventh.

Trey Damschroder of Williamsport celebrates retiring the Montoursville side in the 5th inning in Williamsport Saturday. Williamsport won 5-2 to win their 3rd straight Backyard Brawl. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Montoursville (15-4), though, again put the pressure on. Kane Moore, who reached base in seven of his eight Brawl plate appearances, and Noah Kirby (2 for 3) drew one-out walks and, suddenly the tying run was at the plate. And despite a fantastic battle which featured 10 pitches, Chilson never broke, getting a strikeout for the second out.

A batter later, Chilson again faced a full count and again responded. This time, Naughton fielded a grounder, threw to Spangler at first and Williamsport celebrated another championship, jubilantly holding the trophy high into the cool night air moments later.

“That’s my favorite thing to do. I actually like closing better than I do starting,” Chilson said. “Big situations and the pressure is what makes it fun.”

Chilson has helped his teams create some fun memories this year. Working his way into the basketball starting lineup, Chilson surged late against Loyalsock to help the Millionaires win that rivalry game. Different sport, same result Saturday as Chilson threw 1 1/3 hitless innings and made it two straight championship victories against Montoursville.

Montoursville did not play a bad game and Gabe Moser and Cy Heddings excelled in relief pitching roles. The difference was timely hitting. Montoursville went just 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position off Damschroder and Chilson and one of those hits was a questionable infield single.

Montoursville celebrate after Elijah Eck and Carson Menne scored in the third inning in Williamsport Saturday. Williamsport won 5-2 to win their 3rd straight Backyard Brawl. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“After missing so much time, just being out there able to play is already great in itself,” Chilson said. “Having a great moment just adds to the fun.”

Damschroder certainly put together a great tournament.

Moving up to fifth in the lineup, Damschroder has pounced on run-producing opportunities and went 5 for 7 with five RBIs at the tournament. Saturday, he was at his best with two outs, smashing a third-inning RBI double which made it, 3-0 and a fifth inning RBI single that made it, 4-2.

“It’s definitely a good spot in the lineup,” Damschroder said after adding two stolen bases and a run. “I know that 1-4, at least one of those guys is going to get on base, so with me hitting well, I know with having one of those guys on base, there will be a lot of RBI opportunities.”

White cashed in on one of those chances, scoring Spangler with an RBI single. Spangler ignited the three-run rally with a lead-off single. Naughton hit a lead-off single two innings later and scored on Damschroder’s single. Damschroder then reversed roles and sparked a sixth inning rally, hitting a lead-off single, stealing second and third and scoring on James Naughton’s clutch two-out, pinch-hit RBI single.

Deshaun White of Williamsport scores in the third inning against Montoursville in Williamsport Saturday. Williamsport won 5-2 to win their 3rd straight Backyard Brawl. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Williamsport overcame injuries at the Brawl and two tough opponents after rallying late to beat South, 9-7 in eight innings Friday. Both pushed the champions hard, but the Millionaires would not relinquish the throne.

“We’ve had close games all year and we just find a way to win,” Chilson said. “It’s a great experience and it’s great for the future, too.”

The future is now South Williamsport seniors Andrew Walter and Marc Molina and both shined under the sunny skies, helping the Mounties take third with an exciting win against Loyalsock. Walter earned the win in relief with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, and hit a pinch-hit RBI double, scoring Molina with the go-ahead run in the sixth inning as South erased a 2-0 fourth inning deficit.

Walter made his first Brawl at-bat a memorable one, following Molina’s double with his own, an RBI shot to deep center field. It was just the hit South needed after Loyalsock had tied the game, 3-3 in the top of the sixth when Jahvon LaRosa hit a two-out RBI single.

“I was trying to get that run back,” Walter said. “It’s great. I didn’t have many at-bats but the one I had, I did what I had to do.”

That success translated to the mound where Walter worked a perfect seventh inning and clinched the win. The right-hander did not allow a run in two outings this week and built on the success starter Kamdyn Bubb had the first 5 1/3 innings as he repeatedly delivered in key situations. Walter also mowed through Loyalsock on just seven pitches in the seventh.

“I had confidence in myself and my team,” Walter said. ” I went out there thinking I have to do it for one more inning.”

What Bubb and Walter provided South pitching-wise, Molina did offensively. The third baseman enjoyed a fabulous tournament, playing error-less defense and going 4 for 8 with three doubles, four RBIs and three runs. That included Saturday’s two double performance.

“I was pretty dialed in,” Molina said. “I started out the season pretty slow, but I’ve been picking it up lately.”

Molina has displayed a knack for delivering crucial timely hits the past two seasons and the trend continued during a three-run fourth inning rally as South (11-6) took a 3-2 lead. It was similar to the night before when South scored seven fourth inning runs, turning a five-run deficit into a 7-5 lead with Molina smashing a go-ahead two-run double.

Garrett Lorson started the rally with a single and Trace Wertz followed with a long double. After the first out was recorded, Molina rocketed his game-tying, two-run double and Bubb made it, 3-2 a battler later, hitting an RBI double.

“I love those moments,” Molina said. “I really thought we were going to come out and mash but we had trouble timing him (crafty Loyalsock starter Parker Frederick) up. Once we broke through, the flood gates opened.”

Loyalsock (6-12) has made big strides the last two weeks but suffered its third straight one-run loss. Frederick threw six quality innings and Brecken Gusick gave Loyalsock a 2-0 lead when he smacked a two-run double which scored Nolan Rall and Carter Cowden after they singled and walked, respectively.

The Lancers threatened to tie the game in the fifth inning, but for a second straight night Lorson showcased his hose of an arm, throwing out a lead runner at third for the inning’s final out. That was part of a stellar South defensive performance which included second baseman Chance Quimby saving a second inning run, when he stayed with a laser-like grounder which hit off the mound and forced him to reverse direction.

Nonetheless, Quimby made the play and a team which did not conclude its semifinal until midnight, looked fresh and energized.

“We’ve had a lot of close games against good teams,” Molina said. “Those help us a lot and will help us in the playoffs, too.”

Championship

Williamsport 5, Montoursville 2

Williamsport 003 010 1–5 8 0

Montoursville 002 000 0–2 4 0

Trey Damschroder, Ethan Chilson (6) and Jaxson March. Elijah Eck, Gabe Moser (3), Cy Heddings (6) and Noah Kirby. W–Damschroder, (6-0). L–Eck. SV–Chilson, (3).

Top Williamsport hitters: Damschroder 3-4, 2 RBIs, R; James Naughton 1-1, RBI; Lucas Naughton 1-4, R; Deshaun White 1-3, RBI, R; Giovanni White 1-2; Camron Spangler 1-3, R. Top Montoursville hitters: Kirby 2-3, BB, RBI; Zack Neill 1-3, BB; Brody Aldenderfer 1-4.

Records: Williamsport 16-1. Montoursville 15-4.

Consolation Game

South Williamsport 4, Loyalsock 3

Loyalsock 000 201 0–3 8 1

South 000 301 0–4 7 0

Parker Frederick and Bennett Singer. Kamdyn Bubb, Andrew Walter (6) and Trace Wertz. W–Walter. L–Frederick.

Top Loyalsock hitters: Brecken Gusick 2-4, 2 RBIs; Drake Dupont 2-4; Nolan Rall 2-4, R; Jacob Baylor 1-3, 2B, Jahvon LaRosa 1-3, RBI. Top South hitters: Marc Molina 2-3, 2 2B, 2 RBIs, R; Walter 1-1, 2B, RBI; Wertz 1-3, 2B; Bubb 1-2, RBI; Cade Lusk 1-3; Garrett Lorson 1-3, R.

Records: South 11-6. Loyalsock 6-12.

Trey Damschroder of Williamsport runs to first on an RBI single in the third inning against Montoursville in Williamsport Saturday. Williamsport won 5-2 to win their 3rd straight Backyard Brawl. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Camden March of Williamsport scores as Elijah Eck of Montoursville tries to make the play during the top of the third inning in Williamsport Saturday. Williamsport won 5-2 to win their 3rd straight Backyard Brawl. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Deshaun White of Williamsport hits an RBI single against Montoursville during the top of the third inning in Williamsport Saturday. Williamsport won 5-2 to win their 3rd straight Backyard Brawl. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Wyatt Bair of Williamsport tags out Brody Aldenderfer of Montoursville in Williamsport Saturday. Williamsport won 5-2 to win their 3rd straight Backyard Brawl. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

South Williamsport and Loyalsock shake hands after the consolation game during the Backyard Brawl in Williamsport Saturday. South Williamsport won 4-3. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Levi Butler of South Williamsport forces out LaRosa of Loyalsock to end the top of the 7th inning in Williamsport Saturday. South Williamsport won 4-3. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Wyatt Bair of Williamsport tags out Brody Aldenderfer of Montoursville in Williamsport Saturday. Williamsport won 5-2 to win their 3rd straight Backyard Brawl. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Elijah Eck of Montoursville pitches in the first inning to Williamsport in Williamsport Saturday. Williamsport won 5-2 to win their 3rd straight Backyard Brawl. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Kamdyn Bubb of South Williamsport throws in the 5th inning against Loyalsock in Williamsport Saturday. South Williamsport won 4-3. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette