DERRICK CITY — The Bradford Regional Little League Minor Baseball All-Stars turned back Punxsutawney 5-2 Monday evening at Scott Field and will play Friday for the District 10 championship.
Brock Crappio rang up 10 strikeouts, gave up no runs and no hits while scattering just two walks in four innings for the victors.
Playing as the visitors, Bradford took a 1-0 lead in the first when a single by Crappio sent Maddon Splain across home.
It was a pitcher’s duel for the next three innings as Paul Zimmerman went pitch for pitch against Bradford’s starter Crappio, leaving it a 1-0 game after four quick frames.
In the top of the fifth, Crappio reached base on a one-out single. Mason Haynoski then singled on a line drive to left field, moving Crappio to second. Jameis Furlong grounded into a fielder’s choice that sent Crappio to third. Griffin Atteberry then laid down a perfect bunt single to load the bases.
Eli Reid drew a walk in the eighth spot to plate Crappio for a 2-0 game. Bentlee Confer then stepped to the plate and ripped a single to right field that scored Atteberry and Furlong for a 4-0 margin heading into the bottom of the fifth.
In relief, Beckett Burns held Punxsy to two runs in the fifth, picking up the third out on three straight strikes.
In Bradford’s half of the sixth, Burns, Caden Veilleux and Brody Lupton raked three straight singles, Lupton’s base knock plating Burns for a 5-2 margin.
Atteberry took the mound in the bottom of the sixth, drawing three efficient outs on just 11 pitches — a groundout to Splain at short with the throw to Haynoski at first, a pop fly to Teddy Henretta in center and a final groundout for the 6-3 putout, Splain to Haynoski, to send Bradford to the title tilt.
Bradford, 3-0, has ripped 36 hits in three games, while giving up only six. The minor boys have outscored their opponents 34-6. In Monday’s win, Crappio and Haynoski were perfect at the plate, both going 2-for-2.
Defensively, catcher Caleb Weart was solid behind the plate, making 13 plays and nabbing Punxsy’s lead runner stealing second in the fifth.
Punxsutawney drops into the consolation bracket and will host Warren on Wednesday for the chance at a rematch with Bradford. Warren defeated and eliminated DuBois, 11-6, on Monday.
District tournaments follow a double-elimination format, so either Warren or Punxsutawney would have to beat Bradford twice to win the D10 trophy.
Bradford will take the field at 6 p.m. Friday against an opponent and at a location to be determined, looking to capture the District 10 banner.
