However, having controlled much of the contest, Montoursville was able to re-establish that control and stifle the rally. Two clutch outs from pitcher Averie Sheleman shattered the surge a big hit or two away from paydirt, as Keystone suffered the first loss of its District 12 tournament run in the championship final, 9-5.

Keystone had the luxury of having a loss to work with heading into Tuesday. But now, that luxury has been expended. The result pits the two teams against each other in a winner-take-all if game on Wednesday, with manager Chipp McMann hoping to see his team carry Tuesday’s late-game energy into the rematch.

“Too little, too late,” said McCann on the contest. “We just didn’t bring it tonight, hats off to Montoursville. They put the pressure on us from the first at-bat, and we were down six before we had a batter. Took us a little bit too long to realize we were actually playing in a softball game.”

Having comfortably beaten Montoursville in the District 12 winner’s final last Friday, it seemed like that comfort led to complacency on the field. Keystone started uncharacteristically flat and before it could even take the plate on offense, it had already been punched in the mouth as a result.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville short stop Nayomi Belle (2) fields a ground ball before throwing to first base for an out in the third inning of the Little League District 12 Majors Softball Championship at Lycoming College Tuesday.

In the top of the first, four Montoursville hits, two walks and two fielding errors helped Montoursville rack up six runs before the inning was mercifully brought to a close. For reference, that’s more runs than Keystone gave up in their previous three games combined.

“We beat them 9-1 the last time we played them, and the girls probably thought about what they were gonna do to celebrate the title as opposed to focusing, coming out and doing the things we had to do to win the game,” said McCann. “Hopefully, we come back tomorrow with a different attitude, and the result’s a difference outcome.”

Leadoff batter Sheleman kicked off the rally with a single deep into right. Two batters later, the bases were loaded. And by the time Keystone finally picked up its first out of the frame, Montoursville led by five off the heels of a two-RBI triple from first baseman Sophie Hoffman.

Ultimately, a two-out fielding error helped it picked up its sixth run. Though Keystone’s offense hadn’t taken the field at that point, the tone had already been set, and momentum would be hard to come by in the following innings.

Even as Keystone’s field quickly found its footing, holding Montoursville scoreless through the next three stanzas, their opponent’s field held just as firm. By the time Keystone was able to add to its lone first-inning run four innings later, Montoursville had bolstered its cushion to eight with three runs in the fifth.

Keystone still managed to make things interesting late. The fifth saw its bottom of the order produce four two-out on-base appearances in a row, including two RBI singles from Peyton Smoker and Skye Welshans, to narrow the gap to 9-4. With the team holding Montoursville scoreless in the sixth and its lineup resetting, it set the stage for an exciting finish.

Josey McCann kicked things off with a leadoff walk, and shortstop Blake Houser followed her up by getting both of them in scoring position with a timely double straight down the middle. Two batters later, Sienne Schneider was loading the bases with a walk. And with Finley Geyer getting hit by a pitch, the scenario produced a McCann run.

With that, a grand slam would’ve tied it up at 9-9, and multiple hits could’ve put it in position to win. But Sheleman caught her second pop out of the frame to give Montoursville two outs before her fifth – and final – strikeout sealed it a batter later.

Falling short stung, but McCann was happy seeing his players continue to fight in what could’ve been perceived as a lost cause. Even in the defeat, that late surge could be what they needed to get back on track heading into tomorrow’s win-or-go-home battle, a battle McCann believes the team has a great chance at winning.

“The odds are really against us, but let’s battle. Let’s see what we can do. Worst case, we maybe build a little momentum, show up tomorrow and take care of it from the start,” McCann told his players late in Tuesday’s contest.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville third baseman Myla Carey (7) fields the throw as Keystone's Josey McCann (10) is safe at third base on a double by 99 in the sixth inning of the Little League District 12 Majors Softball

“If we can clean (those errors) up and have a better attitude from the get-go, I think it’ll be a different outcome. We’ve just got to show up and take care of the things we’re capable of taking care of.”

Wednesday’s District 12 championship will be played at Lycoming College Softball Field at 5:45 p.m.

Montoursville 9, Keystone 5

(DISTRICT 12 LITTLE LEAGUE MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP)

Montoursville 600 030 – 9 8 2

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Blakely Ings (00) is out at second base as Keystone second baseman Mia Barth (25) fields the throw in the sixth inning of the Little League District 12 Majors Softball Championship at Lycoming College Tuesday.

Keystone 100 031 – 5 4 4

Averie Sheleman and Avery Bolsar. Madison Edwards and Josey McCann. W – Shebman. L – Edwards.

Top Montoursville hitters: Myla Carey 2-3, 3 RBIs, 2 runs; Averie Sheleman 2-3, 2 runs; Sophie Hoffman 1-3, 3B, 2 RBIs, run; Avery Bolsar 2 runs. Top Keystone hitters: Peyton Smoker 1-2, RBI, run; Sienna Schneider, Skye Welshans 1-2, RBI; Madison Edwards 1-3, run; Josey McCann, Mia Barth, Cali Emel run.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville short stop Nayomi Belle (2) comes up short on a line drive for a Keystone (5) single with an RBI in in the fifth inning of the Little League District 12 Majors Softball Championship at Lycoming College Tuesday.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville second baseman Alivia Frey (55) backhands a ground ball before throwing to first base for an out in the fourth inning of the Little League District 12 Majors Softball Championship at Lycoming College Tuesday.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Keystone short stop Blake houser (99) fields a ground ball before throwing to second base for a force in the fourth inning of the Little League District 12 Majors Softball Championship at Lycoming College Tuesday.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Keystones Sienna Schneider (7) is congratulated by her first base coach after hitting a single in the first inning of the Little League District 12 Majors Softball Championship at Lycoming College Tuesday.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville short stop Nayomi Belle (2) fields a pop-up in the first inning of the Little League District 12 Majors Softball Championship at Lycoming College Tuesday.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Alivia Frey (55) beats the tag from Keystone third baseman Skye Welshans (16) on a sacrifice fly in the first inning of the Little League District 12 Majors Softball Championship at Lycoming College Tuesday.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Myla Carey (7) connects for a single with an RBI in the first inning of the Little League District 12 Major softball Championship at Lycoming College Tuesday.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Sophie Hoffman (9) is safe at home as Keystone's Mady Edwards (13) loses the ball on the tag for a home run in the first inning of the Little League District 12 Major softball Championship at Lycoming College Tuesday.