“We’ve been practicing really, really hard. I told these kids two weeks ago that there’s probably not another team out there that’s working as hard as we are. Myself and my two assistants have also had a little help from the high school baseball coach, Coach Kish, so I want to thank them as well — Dave Dimoff, Clinton Swartz and Coach Kish,” East Lycoming manager Jim Wool said. “We played really well, and I’m excited to see what these kids can do.”

East Lycoming benefited from a fantastic pitching performance by Roman Meckbath. He pitched six-plus innings, giving up just three hits, three walks and striking out seven. The tall right-hander pounded the strike zone and allowed a stellar defense to work behind him.

“He’s a gamer, and that’s why we went with him today. He battles. He’s a competitor like no other. I knew he’d come through for us today,” Wool said.

After a scoreless first inning, East Lycoming got on the board in the top of the second inning. After Kellyn Wool walked and Dristian Dimoff reached on an error, Tygan Sherwood smacked a single through the left side to score Wool. Then, a sacrifice fly on a well-hit ball by Liam Hill brought home Dimoff to put East Lycoming up 2-0.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Roman Meckbach throws for East Lycoming during the Little League Junior District 12 All-Star finals game against South on Monday at Brandon Park.

They would put up two more runs in the third inning with a two-out rally. Jameson Smith reached on an error and Meckbach walked, which set up a clutch RBI single for Kellynn Wool that brought both runners around to score.

The game stayed scoreless until the fifth inning when East Lycoming tacked on another insurance run. Parker Shrimp walked to lead off the inning. After a sacrifice bunt by Conner Gordner, Jameson Smith singled back up the middle to extend the lead to 5-0.

They added another run in the seventh. A leadoff error put Tygan Sherwood on base, abd ge was brought home by a single to left field by Brayden Swartz to make it 6-0.

South Williamsport looked like they could possibly threaten in the seventh inning as the first two hitters reached base. But, a game-ending 6-3 double play fielded by Jameson Smith to first baseman Dristian Dimoff handed East Lycoming the district title.

“This is our third district championship in a row, the last two with Tri-Town and this year with us. This year’s all East Lycoming players, which is really special,” Wool said. “These kids know how to play. I’ve been coaching them since they were Tee-ballers, and they know how to play. They know how to run the bases, and they did a heck of a job tonight.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Easton Yetter throws for South during the Little League Junior District 12 All-Star finals game against East Lycoming on Monday at Brandon Park.

East Lycoming advances to Section 3 play in Hughesville next week, beginning on July 7.

East Lycoming 6, South Williamsport 0

East Lycoming 022 010 1 — 6 5 1

So. Williamsport 000 000 0 — 0 3 4

Roman Meckbach, Tygan Sherwood (7) and Kellyn Wool. Easton Yetter, Miles Gerber (6) and Erik Franzen

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent East Lycoming's Dristian Dimoff beats the tag at home during the Little League Junior District 12 All-Star finals game against South on Monday at Brandon Park.

Top East Lycoming hitters: Smith 1 hit; Wool 1 hit; Sherwood 1 hit; Swartz 1 hit; Hill 1 hit. Top South Williamsport hitters: Engel 1 hit; Bubb 1 hit; Wilson 1 hit.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent East Lycoming's Jameson Smith steals second, beating the tag attempted by South's Trey Engel during the Little League Junior District 12 All-Star finals game on Monday at Brandon Park.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South's Rodney Wilson dives back to first during the Little League Junior District 12 All-Star finals game against East Lycoming on Monday at Brandon Park.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent East Lycoming's Parker Shrimp crosses home during the Little League Junior District 12 All-Star finals game against South on Monday at Brandon Park.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South's Erik Franzen makes the tag at home on East Lycoming's Jameson Smith during the Little League Junior District 12 All-Star finals game on Monday at Brandon Park.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South's Everett Bubb is hit by the ball during a play at first during the Little League Junior District 12 All-Star finals game against East Lycoming on Monday at Brandon Park.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent East Lycoming's Jaxson Duke snags a pop fly during the Little League Junior District 12 All-Star finals game against South on Monday at Brandon Park.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent East Lycoming's Tygan Sherwood slides home on a wild pitch during the Little League Junior District 12 All-Star finals game against South on Monday at Brandon Park.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent East Lycoming's Dristian Dimoff reacts after making the final out during the Little League Junior District 12 All-Star finals game against South on Monday at Brandon Park.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent East Lycoming players celebrate their win during the Little League Junior District 12 All-Star finals game against South on Monday at Brandon Park.