By Kenny Varner

CENTRE HALL – They battled to their final out.

The Big Valley 10U baseball team found itself down early in the contest, falling behind 11-3 early in the Sectional contest against Hershey.

However, the Big Valley team battled like the District Champs they were and fought back to cut the Hershey lead to 12-9 before running out of time in their second meeting with Hershey.

Despite the loss, the team still made a legendary run this post season being the first team from the Big Valley to make the sectionals and capture the District 5 title in over nine years. 

Hershey opened the contest as the visitors and rolled off a six-run inning to start the contest.

But Big Valley battled back, cutting the Hershey lead in half, posting three runs in their opening at bats.

Lead off hitter, Matthew Hartsock opened with a smoking triple that blazed past the third baseman and into the depths of left field.

With one out, Calvin Napikoski hustled out an a single, scoring Hartsock on the play. Napikoski moved up to second and later stole third.

Owen Fultz blasted a single to left field, putting runners on first and second.

Liam Bender’s RBI on an infield single scored Napikoski.

Izik Tate rounded out the Big Valley first inning scoring plastering an RBI single into left.

Offensively, Hershey continued its strong hitting into the second, adding five more runs to go up 11-3.

In the bottom of the third the Big Valley crew slowly started on their comeback attempt.

Napikoski got the third off and running with his second single of the game.

He scored on an RBI double by Fultz, making it an 11-4 contest.

Hershey notched its last run in the top of the fourth, making it an 8-run lead once again.

Refusing to go down without a fight, Big Valley posted a 4-run inning to cut the Hershey lead to just four runs.

Starting off the inning, Carter Walker blasted a mammoth shot into the left centerfield gap, landing at second with a double.

Jonas Weaver joined Walker on base as he blasted a liner to centerfield.

Easton Trutt smoked an RBI single to right, scoring Walker.

Chase Yoder emptied the bases scorching a 2RBI triple, cutting the Hershey lead to 12-7.

Napikoski’s sacrifice fly, cut things to within four runs heading into the fifth inning.

In the fifth, Walker again led the charge as he hit a second blast to CF with yet another double.

He scored on a Jonas Weaver RBI double down 3rd, putting the group from Big Valley within striking distance.

However, Big Valley just ran out of time as they fell 12-9.

Despite the loss, Big Valley showed its fans and its opponents that they had a never-say-die attitude and a willingness to battle to the end.

It will be remembered as a legendary season for Big Valley.