It took Keystone just three batters to strike in the bottom of the first inning and, from there, it was all Keystone as the Clinton County all-star squad earned a 9-2 win against Montgomery in an elimination game in the District 12 major baseball tournament.

With the win, Keystone advances to Sunday’s elimination bracket game against either South Williamsport or Williamsport Area at Beech Creek at 5:45 p.m.

With two outs after a grounder and fly to right, Deagan Stover got a hold of the fourth pitch he saw and belted a home run for the game’s first run. From there, the runs kept adding up. Keystone scored twice in the second, twice in the third and put up four runs in the fourth to put the game away as the defense and pitching did its job from there.

Jaxon Orndorf threw a complete game with nine strikeouts and only two hits allowed by Montgomery’s Rocco DeLullo (1 for 2, run) Colin Swanger (1 for 1, double, walk).

After Keystone went ahead 1-0 in the first, Montgomery tied the game in the top of the first inning. After Orndorf fanned the first two batters, DeLullo connected on a single with 1-2 count. Swanger then connected on an RBI double which brought in DeLullo and moved Gabe Follmer, who reached on a walk, to third base. However the two were stranded in scoring position after a key strikeout ended the inning.

Montgomery’s tie was short-lived as Keystone responded right away in the bottom of the second.

An error allowed Beau Phillips to reach base before Hudson Foltz hit a double to bring in Phillips. Easton Wright had a sac fly to move Foltz to third with one out before Mike Nestor had a grounder. Aldin Demorte reached by being a hit batter and Hayden Rinehart then had a single which gave Keystone a 3-1 lead.

In the third inning, Stover connected for a double, his second extra-base hit of the day with one out. A ground out a batter later put two outs on the board with Stover in scoring position. It would then be an error which allowed Mason Quick to reach base and sent Stover home for a 4-1 Keystone lead. Quick would then score before the third out was recorded for a 5-1 Keystone lead.

Montgomery held Keystone scoreless in the bottom of the fourth inning after Montgomery scored a run to cut the deficit to 5-2.

Keystone would use a four-hit fifth inning to plate four runs and increase its lead further.

Keystone was led by Hayden Rinehart (2 for 2), Hunter Packer (2 for 3, double), Stover (2 for 3, double, home run), Demorte (1 for 3), Mike Nestor (1 for 3), Foltz (1 for 3, double), Quick (1 for 3) and Beachdel (1 for 4).

The District 12 major baseball championship game is scheduled for Saturday, July 11 at Volunteer Stadium at 3 p.m.

Montgomery 010 100 — 2 3 2

Keystone 122 04x — 9 10 0

Jaxon Orndorf and Mason Quick. Gave Follmer and Rocco DeLullo. W: Orndorf. L: Follmer.

Top Montgomery hitters: Rocco DeLullo 1-2, run; Colin Swanger 1-1, 2B, BB; Connor Gowin BB, run; Gabe Follmer BB; Jace Koch BB. Top Keystone hitters: Callen Bechdel 1-4, run; Jaxon Orndorf HBP, run; Deagan Stover 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 runs; Hunter Packer 2-3, 2B, run; Mason Quick 1-3, 2 runs; Beau Phillips run; Hudson Foltz 1-3, 2B, run; Easton Wright BB; Mike Nestor 1-3; Aldin Demorte 1-3; Hayden Rinehart 2-2; Brady McGregor BB.