Little League: Back Mountain National’s late rally fell short against Hollidaysburg in the state tournament

Back Mountain National has been on the other side of those scores many times. All that was left to do was try to make the deficit seven runs.

The Nationals did just that, going on a rally that led to the victory in the last inning. But a second straight shutout homer wasn’t in the cards as Hollidaysburg cruised to a 7-4 victory Friday in the Little League Baseball state tournament at Pitt Bradford.

The loss ended a successful season for Back Mountain National, which had scored more than 100 runs in the previous two tournaments to win the District 31 and Section 5 championships.

The Nationals went 1-2 in the state bracket with a 3-0 loss to Greencastle on Wednesday and got a dramatic 4-3 elimination win against Aston Middletown on Thursday with a tie-breaking home run from Talon Heskey in the bottom of the sixth . .

The team was looking for more late magic in the final game on Friday’s schedule after falling behind 7-0 to Hollidaysburg, the District 11 and Section 4 champion.

In the second, Chase Link hit a two-run homer to make it 3-0, and Ty McGough delivered the dagger with a three-run triple in the third. Link also finished with three RBIs, adding a run-scoring single.

The rally began in the fourth inning as National strung together its first hits of the night and scored three runs.

Still down 7-3 in the bottom of the sixth, the Nationals hitters still managed to stay patient to stay alive.

Joey Nocito led off with a leadoff single. After the strikeout, Jack Oliver and Hesky drew walks to load the bases.

Luca Pietroccini drove in a run on a fielder’s choice to make it 7-4 and the score was tied when Tyce Mason also reached to load them up again.

However, Hollidaysberg was able to put an end to the tension by reaching second to end the game.

The tournament continues on Saturday when Greencastle takes on Keystone in the winner’s bracket final. Hollidaysburg faces Southern Lehigh in the elimination semifinals.