But not as much as missed opportunities Friday did.

Williamsport went 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position, a base running mistake cost it a potential walk-off win and Wilkes-Barre erased a one-run, seventh inning deficit, defeating Williamsport, 5-2 in nine innings in the District 2-4 Class AAAAAA semifinals at Millionaire Mountain.

Fritz threw 8 2/3 gutsy innings, earning the win and scattering eight hits, while slamming a go-ahead, three-run triple in the top of the ninth. Ben Thomas then produced a game-ending strikeout, leaving the bases loaded as Wilkes-Barre earned a second straight finals appearance against six-time defending champion Hazleton Thursday at a District 2 site to be determined.

It was the second straight year the Wolfpack (13-9) upset the top-seeded Millionaires (19-2) in the semifinals after downing it 9-4 when it fought back from three down a year ago at Millionaire Mountain. That day Fritz again nearly threw a complete game, while adding a home run and a double.

Deshaun White of Williamsport is caught in a run down play between second and third base by Jake Howe of Wilkes Barre in Williamsport Friday afternoon. Wilkes Barre won 5-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

A year later, it felt like Groundhog Day with Fritz driving in four of his team’s five runs and working out of trouble time after time after time.

It was a gut-wrenching end to a tremendous season in which Williamsport set a 2000s program record with 17 straight wins entering the postseason. The Millionaires also captured the HAC-I championship and became the first team other than Hazleton to earn the district’s top seed since 2018.

A talented team was more defined by its character and its ability to win so many close, hard-fought games. That is why the ending was so hard for many to take as both players and coaches shed tears following the game, highlighting how deeply they cared not just about results, but about each other.

Because the game ended so close to the Sun-Gazette print deadline, players and coach Tyler Albert could not be reached afterward.

Williamsport scored runs in the third and fourth innings, taking a 2-1 lead after Wilkes-Barre struck first in the third on Fritz’s RBI double. Deshaun White (2 for 4) then slammed a one-out triple in the bottom half and Zane Rogers scored him with a grounder which tied the game. An inning later, Giovanni White (2 for 4) belted a lead-off triple and scored on Trey Damschroder’s RBI grounder, making it, 2-1.

Camden March of Williamsport tries to make the play as Koleton Davies of Wilkes Barre slides safely into second in the first inning in Williamsport Friday afternoon. Wilkes Barre won 5-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

But even at that point, Williamsport was 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position and the frustration would continue into the evening. Camden March doubled and Lucas Naughton walked to open the fifth inning but a fielder’s choice, a runner thrown out stealing and a grounder led to a goose egg.

Damschroder hit a two-out sixth inning single and stole second but another grounder ended that inning. The missed opportunities loomed large as Wilkes-Barre finally broke through against Damschroder who retired nine straight after entering in the fourth inning. Jacob Chupka hit a lead-off single and a throwing error on an ensuing bunt moved him to third before Alex Hufford’s sacrifice fly tied it.

Damschroder, who again thrived in tense moments, left the bases loaded with one out and Williamsport had a shot at winning in the eighth after a lead-off single and bunt. But on a grounder to third, the lead runner was caught in a rundown and thrown out at third.

That proved especially painful when Giovanni White scorched what would have been a walk-off double. Instead, it put runners on second and third and, following an intentional walk to Damschroder, Fritz again denied Williamsport the timely hit, producing an inning-ending strikeout.

Even after Fritz hit his triple to left field and put Wilkes-Barre up three, the Millionaires believed they would come all the way back and put a rally together with Jaxson March drawing a lead-off walk before Deshaun White and Rogers drew two-out walks.

Deshaun White of Williamsport celebrates his third inning triple against Wilkes Barre in Williamsport Friday afternoon. Wilkes Barre won 5-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Different pitcher, however, same result. Thomas overcame his control issues after relieving Fritz and threw an off-speed pitch by on a 2-2 count, ending the game and Williamsport’s fabulous season.

As was the case a year ago, Williamsport hit Fritz hard at times and collected five extra-base hits. Like last year, though, Fritz made like Houdini at times and luck seemed to be on Wilkes-Barre’s side at crucial times.

That was most evident in the second inning when Camron Spangler, who turned a highlight reel first inning double play, reached on a two-out error and would have scored easily when Jaxson March rocked a double to deep center field. Instead, the ball bounced over the fence for a ground-rule double; Spangler had to go back to third and Fritz escaped a batter later, inducing a flyout.

How crucial that sequence was came into play as the game progressed. If the ball does not bounce over, Williamsport likely wins, 3-2. Two innings later, Camden March hit his double to the deepest part of center field and came within a few feet of a home run. Again, those few feet created a seismic change as Wilkes-Barre stayed within, 2-1 instead of falling behind, 3-1.

Combine those situations with Fritz’s ability to keep Williamsport from pulling away and the Wolfpack again spoiled a terrific Williamsport season. The left-hander kept Williamsport off-balance and the Millionaires at times seemed too eager to swing at less than ideal pitches early in the count. As a result, Fritz only struck out three but lasted until two outs were recorded in the ninth, throwing just 241 pitches through four innings.

Trey Damschroder of Williamsport pitches against Wilkes Barre in Williamsport Friday afternoon. Wilkes Barre won 5-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The fight was there, but the timely hits Williamsport delivered so often this season were not. Obviously, it was not the result this hard-working team wanted, but the program took another big leap forward.

And, while some marvelous seniors graduate, the foundation moving forward is strong. The sting from Friday’s loss will last a while. But the memories this team, which won more games than any Millionaire team since 2002, will last a lifetime.

Wilkes-Barre 5, Williamsport 2

Wilkes-Barre 001 000 003–5 7 1

Williamsport 001 100 000–2 8 3

Ben Thomas celebrates after his team defeated the Millionaires baseball team in Williamsport Friday afternoon. Wilkes Barre won 5-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Nathan Fritz, Ben Thomas (9) and Dalton Flowers. Cole Deitrick, Trey Damdschroder (4) and Jaxson March. W–Fritz. L–Damschroder.

Top Wilkes-Barre hitters: Fritz 2-5, 3B, 4 RBIs; Jake Howe 2-4, R; Jacob Chupka 2-4. Top Williamsport hitters: Deshaun White 2-4, 3B, BB, R; Giovanni White 2-4, 3B, 2B, R; Camden March 1-4, 2B; J. March 1-3, 2B, BB; Lucas Naughton 1-4, 2B.

Records: Wilkes-Barre 13-9. Williamsport 19-2.

Trey Damschroder of Williamsport is safe at second base as Alex Hufford of Wilkes Barre tries to make the play during the bottom of the 6th in Williamsport Friday afternoon. Wilkes Barre won 5-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Lucas Naughton of Williamsport gets the throw and tags out Nathan Fritz of Wilkes Barre in the 9th inning in Williamsport Friday afternoon. Wilkes Barre won 5-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Trey Damschroder of Williamsport can’t hold onto the ball on a hit by Nathan Fritz of Wilkes Barre in the third inning in Williamsport Friday afternoon. Wilkes Barre won 5-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette