Conococheague eliminates Valley

July 10, 2007|By JACK HILL III / Staff Correspondent

WILLIAMSPORT - Conococheague built a big lead, then held off a frantic comeback effort to eliminate Valley 15-12 in the losers' bracket of the Maryland District 1 11-12 All-Star Tournament.

Conococheague, which led the whole game, led 3-2 before erupting for seven runs in the top of the third inning, highlighted by an RBI single from Brandon Greene and Tyler Byers' grand slam.

During its seven-run rally, Conococheague got its first three runs on a bases-loaded walk, an RBI single by Greene and a wild pitch. Byers then clubbed his grand slam to left to cap the rally and put Conococheague up by eight runs.

"I can always count on Tyler," Conococheague manager Robbie Eyler said. "If we have men on base and if we need runs, he is the man that I want in the batter's box."

Byers finished had two hits and five RBIs, while Greene had four hits.

Tyler Nally had a two-run homer in the top of the sixth to give Conococheague a 15-7 advantage.

Valley threatened in the bottom of the sixth when Patrick Long belted a three-run homer and Eric Bitner and Brandon Botrick followed with solo homers before Conococheague halted the rally.

Ryan Bolton had three hits, including a solo homer, for Valley.

"Our boys just had that 'never-die' attitude," Valley manager Greg Spickler said. "We hung in there until the last out of the last inning. We hit three consecutive home runs. Earlier in the game, we didn't get the key hits in the key situations."

Conococheague plays at South Mountain today at 6 p.m.

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