LL SECTIONALS: Ashland 9-11s downs Keystone in rematch, face Selinsgrove today
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - An Ashland runner races the ball to first.
CRESSONA – Ashland’s 9-11 Little Leaguers took full advantage of a rematch against the foe who relegated them to the loser’s bracket, and now they have a chance to reach the championship game.
Ashland faces Selinsgrove today at 5:30pm in Cressona for the first of potentially two title games. If Selinsgrove wins, they win the Section 3 title.
Yesterday, Ashland and Keystone appeared evenly matched throughout the game, with a rolling difference of about two runs holding until late.
Ashland trailed by one early, knotted the score, and then ran away with the game.
“We’ve got a rally goin’!” Ashland’s dugout cheered. “Nothin’ you can do about it!”
Defensive mistakes and favorable close calls also assisted Ashland.
With one out and a runner on first, a Keystone batter was caught out. The runner on first mistook the current situation, and thought that was the third out and began walking back to the dugout.
Much to his surprise, Ashland’s pitcher took advantage of the situation, tagging the dazed runner and retiring the side.
At another point, Keystone had a runner sliding into home, who was narrowly tagged in the thigh by Ashland’s catcher.
By the end, Ashland held an 11-6 advantage, defeating and eliminating Keystone, of Beech Creek, Clinton County.
Now, Ashland is in a must-win situation for the next two days. Win today, and they will have a chance at the title tomorrow against the same foe.
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