RELEASE DATE: 7/04/09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Williamsport, Bellefonte, Greece and Cherry Hill Advance to Stephen's Championship -- Big Flats, Horseheads, Brockville and Corning earn Palmer Berth's

MANSFIELD, Pa. – After rain tried to dampen spirits at Friday’s opening day of the 11^th annual Joel Stephens Invitational, beautiful sunny skies greeted the tournament on its second day. When it all shook out, the final pairings for the Stephens and Palmer Championship brackets were set.

The winners in each division will advance to the Stephens Championship semi-finals, which will be played at noon Sunday. Greece, last year’s champion, won the Palmer/Henneman division and will play Cherry Hill, the winners of the Hunter/Jones division at Shaute Field.

Williamsport, winners of the Heaps/Heaps division will play Bellefonte, winners of the Naylor/Dobson division at Kelly Field at Smythe Park.

The winners of each of the Stephens semi-finals will play for the championship at Shaute Field at 3:00 p.m.

The second-place finishers in each division will play for the Palmer Championship, with semi-final games set for 9:00 a.m. Big Flats will play Horseheads at Shaute Field. Brockville will play Corning at Kelly Field.

The winners of each of those games will play in the Palmer Championship at Stephens Field at Williamson High School at noon.

The All-Tournament team and special tournament awards will be handed out in an awards ceremony immediately following the Stephens Championship at Shaute Field.

JS Invitational Standings

Naylor Dobson

1. Bellefonte Bandits (2-1) – Advances to Stephens Semis – Kelly Field at Noon

2. Corning Gray (2-1) – Advances to Palmer Semis – Kelly Field at 9:00 a.m.

Elmira Heights (1-2)

Jersey Shore (1-2)

Heaps/Heaps

1. Williamsport (2-1) – allowed 11 runs – Advances to Stephens Semis – Kelly Field at Noon

2. Brockville (2-1) – allowed 12 runs – Advances to Palmer Semis – Kelly Field at 9:00 a.m.

Bradford County (2-1) – allowed 13 runs

Montoursville (0-3)

Hunter/Jones

1. Cherry Hill (2-0-1) – Allowed 9 runs – Advances to Stephens Semis – Shaute Field at Noon

2. Horseheads (2-0-1) – Allowed 10 runs – Advances to Palmer Semis – Shaute at 9 a.m.

Brockville Junior (1-2)

Mansfield (0-3)

Palmer/Henneman

1. Greece (2-1) – 9 runs allowed – Advances to Stephens Semis – Shaute Field at Noon

2. Big Flats (2-1) – 10 runs allowed – Advances to Palmer Semis – Shaute Field at 9:00 a.m.

Bath (2-1) -

Northern Tioga (0-2)

Joel Stephens Invitational Day Two

9:00 Games

Shaute Field – Bradford County (2-0) vs. Brockville Bunnies (1-1)

Brockville          2

Bradford           7

MANSFIELD, Pa. – Bradford County scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back en route to a 7-2 victory over the Brockville Bunnies in the first game of the day Saturday at Shaute Field.

Brockville took an early lead with one run in the top of the first inning before Bradford responded with four runs to take the lead. Brockville scored again in the fifth inning but Bradford added two insurance runs in the sixth inning to seal a 7-2 win.

Anthony Carr earned the win on the mound, throwing the complete game and allowing two runs on four hits. Greg Daviault took the loss for Brockville, allowing seven runs on seven hits.

Zack Place had two RBI and one run scored to lead Bradford at the plate. Caleb Sheldon, Nate Bennett, Kory Foster and Taylor Skerpon each added an RBI.

Jerry Coleman led Brockville with a 2-for-3 performance, including one double and an RBI. Matt DeLuca added an RBI and Cody Mumbourquette scored two runs.

Brockville          100       010       0          2-4-3

Bradford           401       002       x          7-7-0

Brockville (1-1): Greg Daviault (L, 0-1) and Matt DeLuca

2B – Jerry Coleman, Chad Brisebois

RBI – Coleman, DeLuca

Bradford (2-0): Anthony Carr (W, 1-0) and Caleb Sheldon

RBI – Zack Place (2), Taylor Skerpon, Kory Foster, Nate Bennett, Sheldon

Kelly Kield – Greece (1-1) vs. Big Flats (2-1)

Greece              4

Big Flats           2

MANSFIELD, Pa. – Greece picked up its first win of the tournament Saturday with a 4-2 win over Big Flats at Kelly Field, handing Big Flats its only loss of division play.

The defending champion Greece squad scored one run in the second inning and added three runs in the fifth inning and held on down to stretch to seal the 4-2 win.

Mike Stark earned the win on the mound for Greece, throwing the complete game and allowing two runs on four hits. Ryan Youmans was credited with the loss for Big Flats after allowing four runs on five hits.

Stark helped his own cause by leading Greece at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and one stolen base. Andy Liddell’s two run single in the fifth inning put Greece on top for good. Mike Bellucco added the team’s final RBI.

Big Flats was led by Pete Ferguson, who finished the game with two doubles and an RBI. Bill Spaulding added the team’s other RBI.

Big Flats           000       011       0          2-4-0

Greece              010       030       x          4-5-1

Big Flats (2-1): Ryan Youmans (L, 0-1) and Matt Brewer

2B – Pete Ferguson (2)

RBI – Ferguson, Bill Spaulding

Greece (1-1): Mike Stark (W, 1-0) and Mike Bellucco

2B – Alex Valbergs

RBI – Andy Liddell (2), Stark, Bellucco

Stephens Field – Brockville Junior (1-1) vs. Horseheads (2-0-1)

Brockville Junior            2

Horseheads                  3

TIOGA, Pa. – Horseheads rallied from a two-run deficit to emerge with a 3-2 win over the Brockville Junior Bunnies in the first game of the day at Stephens Field.

Brockville Junior scored two runs in the top of the first inning, but Horseheads was able to score one in the second and two in the third inning and hold on for a 3-2 win. 

Blake Bixby earned the win for Horseheads, throwing the complete game and allowing two runs on five hits. John Coleman earned the loss for Brockville Junior, allowing three runs on six hits in the complete game effort.

Justin Stowell led the way for Horseheads, finishing the game 3-for-3 with two doubles and one RBI. Jake Meehan and Ernie Kirkwood each had one double, with Meehan and Todd Meehan adding RBIs. 

Brockville Junior            200       000       0          2-5-0

Horseheads                  012       000       x          3-6-2

Brockville Junior (1-1): John Coleman (L, 0-1) and Tom Allen

Horseheads (2-0-1): Blake Bixby (W, 1-0) and Jake Meehan

2B – Justin Stowell (2), Meehan, Ernie Kirkwood

RBI – Stowell (2), Meehan, Todd Meehan

11:30 Games

Shaute Field – Mansfield vs. Cherry Hill

Mansfield          1

Cherry Hill         11

MANSFIELD, Pa. – Cherry Hill scored four runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings to defeat Mansfield, 11-1, in five innings during the second game of the day at Shaute Field.

The game opened with Cherry Hill scoring one run in the first inning and Mansfield matching that in the second inning before Cherry Hill scored two runs in the third inning and never looked back.

The New Jersey squad took advantage of three walks and two hit batters to score four runs in the fourth inning and then scored four more in the fifth to end the game.

Ryan Martin earned the win on the mound, allowing one run on four hits. Patrick Driebelbies took the loss after allowing seven runs in three innings of work.

Cherry Hill’s 11 runs came off just six hits, with Sean Gold leading the way with two hits, both doubles, and one RBI. Jeff Bohus added two RBI, with Dante Cassano and Matt Speckmann each adding one RBI.

Blake Lee had Mansfield’s lone RBI, when he scored Ryan Dinger with a sacrifice in the first inning.

Mansfield          010       00x       x          1-4-3

Cherry Hill         102       44x       x          11-6-0

Mansfield (0-3): Patrick Driebelbies (L, 0-1), Patrick Lindquist (4), Zach Ameigh (4) and Glen Reese

2B – Graeme Zaparzynski, Reese

RBI – Blake Lee

Cherry Hill (1-0-1): Ryan Martin (W, 1-0) and Sean Gold

2B – Gold (2)

RBI- Gold (2), Jeff Bohus (2), Gold, Matt Speckmann, Dante Cassano

Kelly Field – Williamsport (1-1) vs. Bradford (2-1)

Williamsport      9

Bradford           3

MANSFIELD, Pa. – Williamsport scored in each of the last five innings en route to a 9-3 win over Bradford County in the second game of the day at Kelly Field.

Bradford, which entered the game with a 2-0 record, scored twice in the first inning and held a 2-0 lead until the third inning. Williamsport scored two runs in the third and three in the fourth to take a 5-2 lead and never looked back.

Noah Barrett earned the win on the mound after allowing three runs on five hits. Vince Molesky entered the game in the sixth inning and allowed no runs on one hit in two innings of relief work. Tyler Huffman took the loss for Bradford after allowing five runs. Lofan Hitchcock came in to close the fourth and Christian Carr threw the fifth through seventh innings.

Kurt Wertz led the way at the plate for Williamsport, going 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs. Jared Mertes was 2-for-3 with two RBI. Stephen Stopper and Nick Keener each added an RBI.

Reese Holmes had the lone RBI for Bradford County, while Kory Foster finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and Dakota Roof went 2-for-4.

Williamsport      002       312       1          9-12-1

Bradford           200       001       0          3-6-2

Williamsport (1-1): Noah Barrett (W, 1-0), Vince Molesky (6) and Jared Mertes

2B – Molesky

RBI – Kurt Wertz (2), Mertes (2), Stephen Stopper, Nick Keener

Bradford (2-1): Tyler Huffman (L, 0-1), Logan Hitchcock (4), Christian Carr (5) and Taylor Skerpon

2B – Kory Foster

RBI – Reese Holmes

Stephens Field – Corning Gray vs. Elmira Heights

Corning Gray     2

Elmira Heights   1

TIOGA, Pa. – Corning Gray scored two runs in the bottom of the third inning and held on for a 2-1 win over Elmira Heights in the second game of the day at Stephens Field.

Elmira took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning before Corning responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning, including the winning run scored by Kevin Childs.

Matt Blencowe earned the win on the mound, throwing a complete game and allowing one run on four hits while striking out five. Brian Ervay took the loss for Elmira, allowing two runs in four innings of work. Mark Ciccotti closed the game and did not allow any runs.

Mike Ficarro from Elmira had the only extra base hit of the game, a double.

Elmira Heights   001       000       0          1-4-0

Corning Gray     002       000       0          2-4-0

Elmira (1-2): Brian Ervay (L, 0-1), Mark Ciccotti (5) and Mike Graham

2B – Mike Ficarro

Corning Gray (2-0): Matt Blencowe (W, 1-0) and Bryan Dann

Suspended Friday Game – Kelly Field – Williamsport (2-1) vs. Montoursville (0-2)

Williamsport      7

Montoursville    4

MANSFIELD, Pa. – Williamsport scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to put away cross-town rival Montoursville, 7-4, in the third game of the day at Kelly Field, which was originally suspended from Friday’s rain showers.

Williamsport scored one run in the second and another in the third to lead 2-0 before Montoursville tied the game in the top of the fifth. Williamsport responded with five runs in the bottom of the fifth and held Montoursville to two runs in the seventh to seal the win.

Nick Keener earned the win on the mound after relieving starter Collin Kelley in the fifth inning. Curtis Jacobsen took the loss for Montoursville.

Kurt Wertz finished the game with two RBI and one double to lead Williamsport. Stephen Stopper and Ed Belton each added a double and one RBI and Bob Donato also had an RBI.

Jacobsen had two RBIs to lead Montoursville, while Pat McNamara and D.J. Yeagle each had one RBI.

Montoursville    000       020       2          4-7-0

Williamsport      011       050       x          7-12-0

Montoursville (0-2): Curtis Jacobsen (L, 0-1) and Tyler Albert

2B – Brian Greer

RBI – Jacobsen (2), Pat McNamara, D.J. Yeagle

Williamsport (2-1): Collin Kelley (ND), Nick Keener (5) (W, 1-0-) and Brian Stopper

2B – Kurt Wertz, Stephen Stopper, Ed Belton

RBI – Wertz (2), S. Stopper, Belton, Bob Donato

2:30 Games

Shaute Field – Northern Tioga (0-2) vs. Greece (2-1)

N. Tioga            0

Greece              13

MANSFIELD, Pa. – Defending champion Greece earned a trip to the Stephens semi-finals after posting a 13-0 shutout over Northern Tioga in the third game of the day at Shaute Field.

Greece’s shutout left the club with nine runs allowed, while Big Flats (also 2-1 in that division) allowed 10  runs, which secured Greece’s place in the Stephens bracket and Big Flats berth in the Palmer bracket.

The shutout win was credited to 15-year old Steve Trubia, who scattered just four hits over five innings while striking out nine batters.

Greece pounded out 17 hits in the game, led by Derek Twamley’s three hits and three RBIs. Nick Bunce added three hits and two RBIs. Mike Stark and Willie Pantoja each had two hits, with Stark adding two RBIs and Pantoja one. Matt Bellucco and Andy Liddell each had two RBI and Alex Valbergs added one.

Taylor Hackett, Dustin Gross, Matt Shadle and Joe Gottwald each had a hit for Northern Tioga.

Greece              016       42x       x          13-17-1

N. Tioga            000       00x       x          0-4-1

Greece (2-1): Steve Trubia (W, 1-0) and Nick Bunce

2B – Nick Bunce (2), Derek Twamley

RBI – Twamley (3), Andy Liddell (2), Bunce (2), Matt Bellucco (2), Mike Stark (2), Willie Pantoja, Alex Valbergs

N. Tioga (0-2): Talas Mahon (L, 0-1), George Schweigert (3), Steve Fye (5) and Matt Shadle

Kelly Field – Brockville (2-1) vs. Montoursville (0-3)

Brockville          7

Montoursville    2

MANSFIELD, Pa. – The Brockville Bunnies scored five runs in the first two innings and ran away with a 7-2 win over Montoursville in the fourth game of the day at Kelly Field.

Brockville plated three runs in the first inning and two in the second to take a 5-0 lead and added one insurance run in each of the last two innings.

Jerry Coleman earned the win on the mound for Brockville, throwing six innings and allowing two runs. Ross Graham closed out the seventh inning and allowed no runs. Brian Greer took the loss for Montoursville after allowing six runs in six innings of work. D.J. Yeagle allowed one run in the seventh inning.

Coleman added two RBIs to help his cause and was joined by Graham with one RBI and Josh Leavitt with an RBI and a double.

Brockville          320       001       1          7-10-3

Montoursville    010       100       0          2-6-3

Brockville (2-1): Jerry Coleman (W, 1-0) Ross Graham (7) and Matt DeLuca

2B – Josh Leavitt

RBI – Coleman (2), Graham, Leavitt

Montoursville (0-3): Brian Greer (L, 0-1), D.J. Yeagle (7) and Aaron Russell

Stephens Field – Jersey Shore (1-2) vs. Bellefonte (1-1)

Jersey Shore     2

Bellefonte         4

TIOGA, Pa. – Bellefonte scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to earn a 4-2 win over Jersey Shore in the second game of the day at Stephens Field.

Bellefonte scored one run in the bottom of the first inning and Jersey Shore tied the game in the third inning. Bellefonte poured in three runs in the sixth to take the lead and Jersey Shore could only score one in the seventh.

Josh Wensel earned the win on the mound for Bellefonte, throwing a complete game and allowing two runs on eight hits. Taylor English earned the loss, allowing four runs on five hits.

Eric Regel led Bellefonte at the plate with two singles and one RBI and Derek Jabco added a double.

Josh Wrench had one RBI for Jersey Shore, while Kyle Miller and Tyler Campbell each had a double.

Jersey Shore     001       000       1          2-8-4

Bellefonte         100       003       x          4-5-1

Jersey Shore (1-2): Taylor English (L, 0-1) and Josh Wrench

2B – Kyle Miller, Tyler Campbell

RBI – Wrench

Bellefonte (1-1): Josh Wensel (W, 1-0) and Eric Regel

2B – Derek Jabco

RBI - Regel

6:00 Games

Shaute Field – Bellefonte (2-1) vs. Corning Gray (2-1)

Bellefonte         1

Corning Gray     0

MANSFIELD, Pa. – In what played out to be one of the best games of the entire tournament, Bellefonte edged Corning 1-0 in the nightcap at Shaute Field to earn a spot in the Stephens semifinals.

Both pitchers engaged in a dual through six innings before Bellefonte was able to score one run in the top of the seventh. Corning advanced a runner to third- base in the bottom of the inning but could not score.

Robert Gummo earned the win for Bellefonte, allowing no runs on six hits with three strikeouts. Mike Speroni took the loss, allowing one run on six hits and recording three strikeouts as well.

Brandon Quay walked to start the seventh inning and advanced to second on a single by Josh Wensel before scoring when on a Jake Perryman single.

Mike Watters led Corning, going 2-for-2 at the plate.

Bellefonte         000       000       1          1-6-1

Corning             000       000       0          0-6-2

Bellefonte (2-1): Robert Gummo (W, 1-0) and Eric Regel

RBI – Jake Perryman

Corning (2-1): Mike Speroni (L, 0-1) and Bryan Dann

Kelly Field – Cherry Hill vs. Brockville Junior

Cherry Hill         14

Brockville Jr.     1

MANSFIELD, Pa. – Cherry Hill entered its final game needing to allow less than two runs to have a chance at advancing to the Stephens semi-finals and the team delivered with an overpowering 14-1 win over Brockville Junior.

Dan Hill earned the win on the mound, throwing a complete game allowing one run on one hit and striking out six.

Pat Moran hit a double that scored two runs in the middle of an eight-run fourth inning.

Cherry Hill jumped out to a 4-0 lead early and never looked back in the game.

Brockville Jr.     000       10x       x          1-1-x

Cherry Hill         402       8xx       x          14-7-0

Stephens Field – Bath vs. Northern Tioga

Bath                 7

N. Tioga            6

TIOGA, Pa. – In the nightcap at Stephens Field, Bath scored five runs in the third inning and held off a four-run rally in the seventh to defeat Northern Tioga 7-6.

Montana Yastremski picked up the win on the mound for Bath, finishing the game with 10 strikeouts.