Back Mountain entered the Little League Major Baseball state tournament with a modest record but showed promise in its opening games. The team’s early lead slipped away as Hollidaysburg built a commanding advantage, ultimately forcing a four‑inning contest that ended the Back Mountain season.
A Fourth‑Inning Onslaught
Hollidaysburg exploded for ten runs in the fourth inning, a burst that included two grand slams by Heath Hanlon and Aiden Anderson. The onslaught turned a 5‑3 deficit into a 15‑3 lead, with the final four runs sealed by Anderson’s game‑ending slam. Back Mountain managed three runs in the fourth, sparked by Parker Page and Isaac Tribendis drawing back‑to‑back walks, Brian Vinsko’s single loading the bases, and a subsequent RBI walk by Josh Katyl that cut the margin to 5‑3.
The rally nearly gave Back Mountain a chance at a comeback when Jordan Rollins struck a foul flyball that hovered inches from clearing the left‑field pole. The near‑miss underscored the team’s resilience, but the damage had already been done by Hollidaysburg’s relentless hitting.
Manager Reflections
Back Mountain manager Brian Wielgosz acknowledged the strength of Hollidaysburg’s lineup after the loss, praising the opposition’s hitting while reflecting on his own team’s effort. In contrast, Hollidaysburg manager Charlie Burger emphasized the squad’s focus on one game at a time and the importance of continuous improvement.
The tournament will continue with Hollidaysburg scheduled to meet East Side in an 11 a.m. Saturday elimination game, a rematch of their 2‑1 opening‑round victory. Meanwhile, Blue Mountain secured a spot in the state championship after a 9‑2 win over Newtown‑Edgmont, with Anthony Grimminger’s solo homer and Chase Goodman’s double‑driven run playing key roles.