Erie High needed almost two full games to defeat Warren on Monday afternoon at Old Legion Field.

In a dramatic back-and-forth battle between the visiting Royals and the Dragons, 12 innings were required to determine the winner. Unfortunately for the home team, they could not overcome a two-run 12th inning and lost 9-8.

The Royals struck first, opening an early 3-0 lead after the first inning. The Dragons would respond nicely as they would tie the game in the fifth inning at four runs apiece, then went on to take a 6-4 lead after six innings of play.

Three runs in the seventh inning would put the Royals back in the lead at 7-6. Senior Tage Wyman came in the clutch to keep the Dragons alive with an RBI double to tie the game 7-7, which meant extra innings.

Innings eight through 11 had players and coaches antsy, and fans on the edge of their seats before there would be any scoring.

The 12th inning saw the Royals cross the plate two times, meaning it was crunch time for the Dragons. Warren would retaliate with just one run of their own to fall just short of extending the game.

The marathon bout featured 86 at-bats between the two teams, where Bradey Shene notched four hits himself, including one double. Bradey Chase and Tage Wyman added two hits apiece and each had a double. Zane Carlson, Duncan McGarry, Eli Snyder and Broc Bryan (double) also recorded one hit.

Tage Wyman picked up the loss for the Dragons with Donnell Richmond earning the win for Erie.

Also filling the stat sheet was the Dragons pitching crew as Broc Bryan (9), Eli Snyder (7) and Tage Wyman (3) combined for 19 strikeouts in the loss.

The Dragons return to action today as they host the Bradford Owls at Old Legion Field for a 4 p.m. start.