Dodgers, Twins grab wins to even series

The Littlestown Dodgers rallied back from an early 5-run deficit, then notched the winning run on an Andy Bucher single in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat Hanover 8-7 Thursday at Memorial Field. Bucher, who had three hits in the game, drove home Ryan Kehr with the game-winner. Kehr picked up the win in relief. Kai Hess joined Bucher with three hits, Sam Wertz and Sean Connole had two apiece, and player-manager Joe Murren homered for the Dodgers. Andrew Burke, whose seventh-inning single forced extra frames, joined Clint Roche, Kenny Horney, and A.J. Phillips with two hits for Hanover, while Mark Phillips drilled a 3-run homer as part of the Raiders 6-run second inning. The series is now tied 1-1, with game three set for Diller Field Saturday at 1:00, weather permitting.

In the other semi-final, New Oxford scored single runs in each inning from the second through sixth, lifting the Twins past Cashtown 5-2 and evening their series. The game featured two of the South Penn's best on the bump as Anthony Lippy and Chase King squared off, but King was lifted after allowing two runs and four walks through 3 innings. Lippy went the distance for the win, striking out five and allowing four hits. Mitch Collins and Dan Shafer each had two hits for the winners, while Jeff Deveney drove in a pair. Eithan and Zach Ketterman each drove in runs for the Pirates, who crept within a run on two occassions and nearly broke things open in the fifth following a controversial fair-foul call that ultimately benefitted the Twins. The series moves to Cashtown for game three on Saturday.