In the elimination game, Warren started great with pitcher Reed Fitzgerald holding Punxsy scoreless through three innings.

Warren took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Trae Cradduck singled and leadoff-hitter Evan Wilcox walked with one out. Ackron Hoisington doubled home Cradduck and Fitzgerald’s one-out groundout scored Wilcox.

Punxsutawney quickly answered with three runs on four hits in the top of the fourth. Fitzgerald kept Warren in the game with two strikeouts to end the fourth and strand the bases loaded.

Warren fought to the end. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Hoisington singled with one out and Fitzgerald reached on an error with each moving up a base on a wild pitch. Hoisington was ruled out, however, after an illegal head-first slide. Max Papalia drew a two-out walk to put two runners on again, but a groundout ended the game.

Warren’s Reed Fitzgerald leads off first base. Times Observer photo by Jon Sitler

Fitzgerald pitched four innings for Warren (0-2), striking out seven. Parker Stanton threw two scoreless innings of relief, striking out two.

Hoisington hit the ball hard all game, finishing with two hits, including his RBI double. Glade Rulander was 2-for-2 with a double, and Fitzgerald reached base twice.

Punxsutawney (2-1) advances to play the winner of Potter/McKean and Bradford in the 8-to-10-year-old losers bracket of the nine-team tourney.

All three Warren County Youth Baseball/Softball Association (WCYBSA) all-star teams have been eliminated from tournament play.