Pennsylvania earns a berth in the LLWS with a thrilling win over New Jersey in the Mid-Atlantic Championship game

Bristol, CT- Pennsylvania overcame a 3 run deficit scoring 4 runs over its last two at bats defeating Toms River, New Jersey by a score of 4 - 3 in the Mid-Atlantic championship game of the Eastern Regional Baseball Tournament. The team from Newtown, Pennsylvania has shown the ability to win in the clutch pulling off comebacks after falling behind in almost every game in the tournament. In pool play, Pennsylvania trailed New Jersey by a 3 - 0 score going into the top of the sixth, scoring 4 runs in its last at bat to pull out the win. The championship game was no different as Toms River jumped out to a quick 3 - 0 lead only to have Pennsylvania find a way to pull out the win. New Jersey leadoff batter, Kyle Perry drilled a homerun to open the game to centerfield. With one out, Eric Pecoraro, who was 2 - 3 with 2 doubles, laced a double to right center. A ground out moved Pecoraro to third and with two outs, Alex Wheeler showed his "wheels" as he beat out an infield grounder allowing Pecoraro to score making the score 2 - 0 Toms River. Starting New Jersey pitcher, Perry, held Pennsylvania in their half of the first, bringing New Jersey to bat. Perry came up for his second at bat with one out in the top of the second and promptly smashed another line shot over the fence in center to raise the score to 3 - 0 Toms River. Pennsylvania got back into the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Greg Guers singled to start the rally. A double to the right field corner by James McDade put runners on second and third. An infield ground out by Daniel Denton scored Guers and a second infield single by Michael Festa, just out of the reach of a diving Eric DeMartino scored the second run. In the top of the fifth inning, Toms River came out smoking again. Eric DeMartino laced a single to left to open the inning. Pecoraro came to the plate and cracked a double down the left field line, however, Pennsylvania left fielder, Darren Lauer, got to the ball quickly and fired a strike to Blaise Lezynski covering at third nailing DeMartino with the play of the game. A single by Brian Gilbert put runners at first and third, but Pecoraro tried to score on a wild pitch, and was caught stealing. Toms River lost their momentum and Pennsylvania took advantage. Lauer came in to pitch for starter Keith Terry and after a single, retired the final four batters of the game allowing Pennsylvania to stage their heroics. In the bottom of the fifth, Pennsylvania picked up the go ahead runs. A one out Ryan Hartley double set the table. David Pine beat out a slow roller between first and second putting runners on first and third. After a strikeout to get the second out, hot hitting Greg Guers was intentionally walked to load the bases. Benn Parker then drilled a hard single to right plating two runs making the score the eventual final of 4 - 3. Lauer picked up the win in relief. Pennsylvania will now represent the Mid-Atlantic region in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Their first game will be Friday, August 19th at 4:00, against the Northwest on Lamade Stadium. Maine will play on Saturday, August 20th at 11:00 am against the Southwest region winner on Volunteer Stadium in the 2005 Little League World Series. - Game Summary printed by permission by G. Scott Grove

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