H'heads falls short
THE LEADER STAFF

THE LEADER/PROVIDED Bradford County's Derick Otiswas named MVP of the Joel Stephens Invitational.

MANSFIELD, PA. - Bradford County's Derick Otis scattered two hits over four innings and went 3- for-3 at the plate to lead his team to the championship of the Joel Stephens Invitational Tournament with a 9-3 win over Horseheads Monday, July 2.

Otis, who was named the tournament's MVP, was the winning pitcher in the title game. Bradford County scored two runs in the second, third and fifth innings, as well as a solo run in the fourth to grab a 7-0 lead.

Horseheads got on the scoreboard in the fifth, high-lighted by singles from Shaun Merrill and Mike Graham. Mat t Bowman took the loss on the mound.

Graham earned the Jeff Jones Outstanding Hitter award, while teammate Nick Cafolla was named the Cliff Dodson Outstanding Infielder.

Horseheads also had Ben Little and Mark Ciccotti named to the All- Tournament team, while Corning Gray's Jeremy Blackwell and Big Flats' Keith Cummings also earned All-Tourney honors.

Horseheads earned the right to play for the title with a 9-1 win over Big Flats.

Horseheads jumped on top with a five-run second inning.

Mike Ciccotti tossed a fourhitter with six strikeouts, while Graham went 3- for-4 with a double and two RBI. J.T. Rich and Ben Little chipped in with two hits apiece.

In the Josh Palmer championship game, Mansfield downed Fabius 12-5 thanks to a 13-hit offensive output.

In other Stephens action, Mansfield's Tyler Rumsey tossed a no-hitter and drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning as Mansfield downed Lansing 1-0 in the Josh Palmer Championship semifinals.

In the other Palmer semifinal, Fabius defeated Corning Gray 3-2 as Ryan June drove in two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Ben Geist was the losing pitcher for Corning, while Doug Lovell and Alex Caward had RBI.