It was a back-and-forth affair between Jim Thorpe and Towamensing on Friday night that gave the crowd at Thorpe’s McGarvey’s Field plenty to cheer for.

In the end, it was a strong offensive and defensive inning by JT in the top of the sixth to help it come away with a 12-9 victory in the District 18 10-12-Year Old Tournament.

Thorpe got off to a good start, scoring three runs in the first to jump out to a 3-0 lead. Marshall Domski and Ben Remmel came through with hits in the inning, with RBIs coming from Landon Schrantz and Remmel.

But as it did throughout the game, Towamensing battled back in the second to knot the game at 3-3. Robbie George, Xavier Ahner and Colton Lubukas had hits for Towamensing. A few JT throwing errors helped score all three Towamensing runs.

“We got off to a good start at hitting the ball today, and we kept that up throughout the game. They kept battling, but we kept putting the ball in play and it helped us get the win today for sure,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Bob Levins. “Hitting and our fielding in key moments late in the game was all there for us.”

Thorpe looked like it created a little breathing room in the third after a a two-run shot from power hitter Lucas Knopf to carry a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the third, and would eventually hold a 6-4 lead with Towamensing coming to bat in the bottom of the fourth.

Towamensing would start the inning with a walk, then back-to-back strikeouts, but it was able to draw another walk and a hit by pitch to load the bases. Another walk would bring in a run, and then Jacob Shafer would come through with the hit of the night, which was a shot to center field that cleared the fence for a grand slam, giving Towamensing a 9-6 advantage heading to the fifth.

“That was a true battle. They battled us and we battled them, and it was really just a hard-fought game,” said Towamensing head coach Mike Netznik. “We told Jacob Shafer when he was selected to the team that he was selected for hits just like that. He came through big for us, and what a way to get your first all star hit.”

As clutch as Shafer’s hit was, it was JT that got clutch hits late, while keeping Towamensing off the scoreboard.

Thorpe scored three in the fifth to make it a 9-9 ball game.

In the sixth, Bryce McElmoyle started the frame off with a single, followed by an RBI double from Parker Grant. An RBI single from Brian Reese and an RBI double from Domski would give JT a 12-9 lead going into the bottom of the sixth.

McElmoyle, who entered in the fourth, would then pitch a scoreless sixth, striking out three batters to close out the win for Thorpe.

“These kids have been playing together since tee ball. They know each other’s game, and you can see that out on the field,” said Levins. “They truly play as a team, they pick each other up and they never give up.”

NEXT UP

… Jim Thorpe will head to Valley West on Monday in the winner’s bracket, while Towamensing will head to Valley East to try and stay alive on Sunday in the loser’s bracket. Both game are at times TBD.

Jim Thorpe 302 133 - 12 11 3

Towamensing 031 500 - 9 9 2

W - McElmoyle. L - George. Home run: Knopf (2nd with one on); Shafer (4th with three on).