MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon 10-year-old All Stars swept both games of the District 5 Little League preliminary round championship on Tuesday evening at Phillips Park, defeating Kokosing Valley 13-3 in a run-rule win in the nightcap, after winning a 16-15 marathon in the first game.
Mount Vernon, coming from the loser’s bracket, knew it needed both games to get the top seeding in the final round. After drawing four walks and grabbing a 7-0 lead in the second inning, it looked like that would be no trouble at all. Kokosing Valley, however came back with a four-run third, highlighted by an Andrew Allman two-run triple. Allman had three hits in the first game.
The slugfest drained the pitching on both sides, culminating in a wild sixth inning, which saw Kokosing Valley score six more runs. Taking advantage of four walks and two Mount Vernon errors, Kokosing pulled ahead 15-14.
“It is so neat to see kids respond in that situation,” said Kokosing Valley coach Dean Taylor. “I told our kids, after the game, ‘That was one of the most special games I’ve ever seen or ever coached,’ and just for that. We are so proud of that effort. It was tough to come back with both team throwing with our pitchers that we haven’t thrown very much. Overall, we were just so pleased to make (Mount Vernon) have to come back and beat us after we came back.”
Down by a run, Mount Vernon’s Kamden Breckler singled with two runners on to score Spencer Bills with the tying run. Caleb McNichols drew an intentional walk to load the bases. Mount Vernon’s Landon Fry walked in Braden Spearman to end the game. The win gave Mount Vernon the chance to play the second game for the top seeding, which started nearly an hour after its scheduled 8 p.m. time.
