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Big Valley 10/11Us do it again; tops PO for D5 title

There were some big moments happening Sunday in the Big Valley.

Two teams that have become very familiar with each other as of late met for the third time to decide the fate of the District 5 10/11Us title.

Big Valley, after winning a nail biter in extra innings against Philipsburg-Osceola on Friday night, hosted the Mounties at Reedsville for a winner take all battle.

Timely hitting and strong pitching by Big Valley hurler Aidan Arnold proved to be the answer as “the Red and White” won another close contest 7-5 to clinch the championship for the locals.

“We have a team full of baseball players. One-13 contributes to the team one way of the other. Every game 1-4 might not hit or field the first game but 4-9 will pick it up for them,” Big Valley manager Stephen Alexander said. “Our pitching is dominant. I thought coming into tonight we have seven kids that pitched through the regular season. So our depth of pitching is beyond what another team might have.”

“However, we’ve been able ride three or four of them throughout the whole tournament. “

Leading the way offensively was lead off hitter Evan Strohecker who finished the night a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored. Teammates Brayden Sunderland and Nathan Parkes both finished with two hits.

Philipsburg-Osceola was led by the hitting of Parker Lamb who had two singles to go along with two RBIs. Teammate Tanner Hugoney also finished with two hits in a losing effort.

In the first inning, Arnold and his defense stood tall, sending down 3-of-4 batters and leaving the scoreboard empty.

Big Valley scores one in the bottom of the inning on alert play on the base paths by Strohecker.

Strohecker triples and later scored on a sacrifice by teammate Madden  Weaver, making it 1-0.

Arnold, who struck out seven in six innings, struck out three batters in the second, keeping the Mounties off the scoreboard.

Parkes helped his team increase its lead in the second as he led off with a one-out double. He stole second and scored on a fielders choice by Arnold. 

Going into the third, Big Valley had the momentum, leading 2-0.

However, PO had some offense of its own and showed it in its third time at bat.

Hugoney started the rally with a lead off single into left.

Gavin Kendrick was intentionally walked, putting runners on first and second.

Colton Chapman moved everyone over a base hitting a sacrifice fly.

Lamb quickly tied the game on a 2-RBI single, making it 2-2.

However, a 5-run bottom of the third gave Big Valley some breathing room as it went through its entire order, giving them a 7-2 advantage.

Down to their last six outs of the game, the Mounties rallied back to get themselves back into the game, plating three runs, cutting it to 7-5 going into the final stanza.

With Arnold cruising along on the mound, that would be all he needed as Big Valley was cool under pressure as the sent down Philipsburg-Osceola down in order in its last at bats to take the District and advance to Sectional play.

Big Valley finished the day with 12 hits while Philipsburg-Osceola collected six.

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