And, more importantly, Muncy held Williamsport Area’s potent offense scoreless for 5 2/3 innings on Friday, something easier said than done when looking down Williamsport Area’s lineup which can hit top to bottom.

Muncy ultimately lost 9-4 after Williamsport Area scored nine runs in the sixth inning with two outs, but that loss gave Muncy some confidence heading into its elimination game on Sunday at Beech Creek against a talented Keystone squad.

Mason Shaffer started for Muncy in that loss and was brilliant through 5 innings as he faced one batter into the sixth before reaching the pitch count limit with 89 thrown in the final batter. In that span, he struck out eight Williamsport Area batters and only allowed two singles.

“Shaffer, he’s a complete competitor. The way he pitched; that’s Mr. Consistency all year. We had it right where we wanted, we wanted to bring in Myles (Jumper) who had a little bit off speed. One strike away and it happened,” Muncy manager Justin Snyder said. “(We) brought Brantly (Snyder) in. He did good, but gave up a couple hits and they put one over. Besides that, how they competed in all game is what I’m proud of.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy catcher Liam Cooney makes the tag on Williamsport's Joseph Cochran at home during a Little League Majors tournament game on Friday at the Hepburn-Lycoming field. Williamsport won 9-4.

And now Snyder hopes his team competes just as well against Keystone. The Clinton County all-stars lost to Williamsport Area, 3-0, and battled back through the elimination bracket to get to Sunday’s game in Beech Creek.

“Fortunately for us we have two pitchers still available so we’re going to give them a day off and go back at it,” Snyder said. “Our motto has been compete. Our backs against the wall and we’re just coming at you. Keystone’s another juggernaut we’ll have to play, but again it’ll be compete and we’re going to go at them with everything we got. One thing I will say is this team does not quit.”

That was evident on Friday as Muncy trailed by eight runs heading into the bottom of the sixth inning and kept battling to score runs, plating three runs to cut the deficit to 9-4 before the final out was recorded.

Playing well against one of the favorites to win the District 12 title in Williamsport Area was beneficial for Muncy heading into an elimination game.

As for the team’s biggest strength? Snyder didn’t hesitate when he mentioned the team bonding the players share.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy's Karson Schneider attempts a play on Williamsport's Gianni Taddeo during a Little League Majors tournament game on Friday at the Hepburn-Lycoming field. Williamsport won 9-4.

“We started practice June 9 and it’s been almost every day hour and a half, two hours a night. The bonding they have coming and shownig up every day to practice,” Snyder said. “No one’s complaining, no one cares who sits. Having those two major teams and using 24 kids to put a 12U all-star team, that’s the biggest thing. It’s the bonding, the competing and the friendships they have.”

Keystone routinely has solid and talented major baseball teams every summer, and this year is no different and Keystone will be prepared to play in a win-or-go-home game on Sunday at 5:45 p.m.

Muncy and Keystone play one of the two elimination games scheduled for Sunday at Beech Creek. The other game features South Williamsport against East Lycoming after East Lycoming suffered a 7-4 loss to Loyalsock in the first winners’ bracket semifinal at Hepburn Lycoming on Friday evening.

Much like Muncy, East Lycoming kept fighting until the final out was recorded. East Lycoming trailed 6-0 after three innings and 7-1 heading into the sixth inning. East Lycoming plated three runs in that sixth inning thanks to two singles, a walk and a huge double to center-right field by Cale Smith with two outs for two runs.

“That’s kind of what we’ve been preaching to our kids. It’s a long game and to stay in the game the whole time,” East Lycoming manager Kyle Daugherty said. “We preached that we’re going to get our chances and we just have to stay level and keep our focus. We got a couple at the end there. Would have been nice not to give up the big couple of runs in the first couple of innings and be in the game a little bit more, but we fought until the end and gave it a shot. That’s all you can ask from these guys.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy's Karson Schneider waits on the ball as Williamsport's Joseph Cochran slides into third during a Little League Majors tournament game on Friday at the Hepburn-Lycoming field. Williamsport won 9-4.

Daugherty noted that he told his players when the all-star season began that it would be a tough summer with nine teams making up the major baseball bracket. And all nine of them could compete on any given day.

“I mean we told them from the start with nine teams in the tournament that it’s going to be a long road,” Daugherty said. “Once we get to the losers’ bracket, we’re going to play every other day. We already told them, I mean obviously we were hopefully to play in four days, but we just gotta fight now and keep doing what we’re doing.”

That elimination game on Sunday against South Williamsport in Beech Creek is set for an 8 p.m. start

“We preached whole time we’ll play anybody anywhere and hopefully we start a little stronger in our next game and get things rolling,” Daugherty said.

If Friday was any indication, East Lycoming will keep battling until the final out is recorded regardless who is in the other dugout. South Williamsport will be looking to keep its season going too. South Williamsport fell into the elimination bracket after suffering a winners’ bracket quarterfinal loss last week to Muncy.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent East Lycoming's Cael Smith starts on the mound during a Little League Majors tournament game against Loyalsock on Friday at the Hepburn-Lycoming field. Loyalsock won 7-4

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent East Lycoming's Cael Smith starts on the mound during a Little League Majors tournament game against Loyalsock on Friday at the Hepburn-Lycoming field. Loyalsock won 7-4

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Antonio Valentine crosses the plate safely as East Lycoming's Jase Spring attempts the tag during a Little League Majors tournament game on Friday at the Hepburn-Lycoming field. Loyalsock won 7-4

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Ben Gusick beats the play at second as East Lycoming's Bryce Messner reaches for the ball during a Little League Majors tournament game on Friday at the Hepburn-Lycoming field. Loyalsock won 7-4