MINERSVILLE — The baseball gods turned a consolation tournament game into a strange and crazy contest on Saturday afternoon.

Playing in the Russ Rothermel Tournament after suffering losses the previous week, Panther Valley and Shenandoah Valley ended up in a matchup filled with twists and turns.

What looked like a normal, regulation seven-inning game turned into an 11-inning affair.

The Panthers saw a two-run lead evaporate to force extra frames, and took a lead in the 10th only to see that disappear before finally making an 11th-inning run stand up for a 5-4 victory.

“You know this game is crazy, you never know who is going to come up with a key hit, in this case it was (Gavin Yuricheck),” said PV head coach Rich Evanko. “Our approach at the plate each game has gotten better. To get a win, especially in a marathon game like this, is important.”

Panthers starter Danny Wehr threw bullets throughout the contest, keeping the Blue Devil bats at bay. Wehr didn’t allow a hit through six innings and registered 10 strikeouts during that period, and needed just three more outs in the seventh to register the win.

Unfortunately for PV and its hurler, Brandon Boris drilled a two-run homer in the home seventh to create a 3-3 tie and keep the game active.

Hits were hard to come by for both teams, as Wehr and Shenandoah’s Chase McCole battled pitch-for-pitch. Ironically, neither right-hander got a decision, as both were lifted due to the pitch count. Wehr gave way to eventual winner Brody Breiner, while Devils reliever Landon Monaghan suffered the loss.

Despite not producing a hit, Shenandoah took the early lead with an unearned run in the home fourth. McCole reached on an error, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. A ground out to short off the bat of Johnny Burke brought home McCole with the game’s first run.

“We will do anything to score, even if it means small ball,” said first-year Shenandoah mentor Frank McCole.

Panther Valley used a similar approach an inning later to take a 2-1 advantage.

Connor Penberth walked, Cameron Caffery bunted him over and Penberth took third on a passed ball. Ben Baneravage coaxed a walk and stole second to put both runners in scoring position.

Gavin Yuricheck, who had a career day hitting out of the No. 9 hole, then singled to center to chase in the tying and go-ahead runs.

“I was just looking to put the ball in play at that time,” said Yuricheck, who had three hits and three RBIs in the game.

His third run driven in came in the seventh, which simply looked like an insurance run for Wehr. A walk to Penberth started the rally with one away, but McCole looked as if he would dig out of trouble by getting his fifth strikeout. Ben Baneravage, however, singled to put runners at the corners. That brought Yuricheck to the plate, and he delivered again with his second hit and his third RBI.

“That was such a big boost for him,” said Evanko.

The 3-1 lead didn’t last, though, as Shenandoah came back in the seventh.

Jostin Lajara battled Wehr after being down in the count 0-2, and lashed a single to left center. One out later, Boris blasted a fastball 345 feet to left-center for his first-ever home run and a tie game.

After both teams traded runs in the 10th, the Panthers found a way to keep the lead after tallying again in the 11th.

Brady Jones walked and moved up a base before Caffery’s grounder sent him to third. Baneravage delivered an RBI single off Shenandoah’s Monaghan. Breiner then tossed a scoreless bottom of the 11th to finally end a hard fought and excellent high school baseball game.

“This was a really great game, and I thought both pitchers did a really good job,” Evanko said. “Danny had some tough luck at the plate. He hit a ball to center in the first, and I don’t know how many center fielders can make that kind of play. The kid (Burke) did a phenomenal job of keeping that from being what I thought was a home run.”

WEB GEMS … Burke, SV’s center fielder was outstanding, warding off a big hit from Wehr and also took a hit away from Penberth. PV’s shortstop, Breiner, came up with a nifty play in the home seventh diving for a grounder near the bag and saved the winning run from scoring. Yuricheck also made a stab in left field on a batted ball by Burke in the sixth.

OVERTIME … The game started at noon, and within a half-hour three innings were in the books. Baseball has no clock, except for the mercy rule. The quick getaway was all about pitching. McCole tossed a total of 29 pitches in three innings with only two runners reaching base. Wehr tossed 38, allowing just one walk, which speeds up the game.

AT THE PLATE … Yuricheck had two singles, a double and his three RBIs. Adding singles were Chase Krynock, Jones and Baneravage. All of the Blue Devils’ seven hits came after the sixth inning. Boris’ homer was the big blast.

TOURNEY CHAMPS ... Tri-Valley captured the tournament championship, defeating Minersville 14-4 in the title game. The Bulldogs’ Jason Stewart led the way offensively with three hits and four RBIs.

Panther Valley 000 020 100 11 - 5 6 2

Shenandoah Valley 000 100 200 10 - 4 7 2

Wehr, Breiner (7) and Baneravage; McCole, Monaghan (7) and Kechula. W - Breiner. L - Monaghan.

Records: Panther Valley (1-3); Shenandoah Valley (5-2).