By Michael Minnich
Tribune Sports Editor
mminnich@newstribune.info
KEYSER—Bi-State held off Pendleton County in a 2-1 thriller and Keyser scored ten runs in the top of the third inning to defeat Grant County, 10-5. as both teams advanced to the winners’ bracket of the 10-11-year-old Little League District 6, Area 2 Tournament on Sunday evening at the West End.
In the day’s first game, Bi-State’s Ross Conley and Pendleton County’s Corey Fegans matched zeroes until the top of the fourth inning.
Bi-State’s Colton Pollock drew a leadoff walk, then advanced on a Cody Rodeheaver single.
With runners on second and third, Tucker Aldridge’s ground ball plated Pollock to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Pendleton County tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on a Trey Cooper run.
In the top of the sixth inning, Conley reached on an error, then advanced on a Pollock grounder.
After Rodeheaver, who had a stellar game defensively behind the plate, struck out, Aldridge came up big again with an RBI single.
Conley reached his pitch limit with two outs and one on in the bottom of the sixth, but Devon Abe trotted on to record the final out.
The Keyser-Grant County game started out in similar fashion: two innings of scoreless ball.
But Keyser broke through in a big way in the top of the third.
Jake Poland was hit by a pitch from Grant County starter Jace Shanholtz, then was erased on a Ashton Hamilton fielder’s choice.
The next four Keyser batters reached: Ryan Kunis doubled, then Vinnie Cuthbertson drove in the game’s first run with a single.
Beau Horner kept the ball rolling with an RBI base knock of his own, then Daniel Troup walked.
Shanholtz rebounded to strike out Aaron Miller, then Tristen Elliott and Harley Yaider drew back-to-back walks.
Ryan Van Meter relieved with the bases loaded, and promptly surrendered a ringing double to Jake Poland.
An errant relay throw allowed Poland to come all the way around and score, doubling Keyser’s lead to 8-0.
Hamilton and Kunis walked, then Cuthbertson reached on an error.
Horner picked up two more RBIs on a single before Troup grounded out to end the inning.
Grant County scored four runs in the bottom half of the frame, but could add only one more tally in the bottom of the sixth.
Keyser and Bi-State will play today at 3:30 p.m., followed by Pendleton County and Grant County’s game at 5:30 p.m. Both games will be at the West End.
The tournament was originally scheduled to begin Saturday, but rain in the area forced the postponement of all contests.
Keyser, W.Va. —
