It seemed only fitting that if the Panther Valley Black Diamonds were going to claim their first ever Keystone Senior Babe Ruth title, they would have to go through the defending champion Towamensing Yankees to do it.

Both squads proved to be more than deserving of being in the best-of-three championship series. The third-seeded Black Diamonds knocked off the No. 2 seed East Stroudsburg Mustangs in the semifinals, while the fifth-seeded Yankees scored an upset win against the top seeded Franklin Township Shockers to reach the championship series, a feat made even more impressive when considering the team's 0-7 start to the season.Following a 9-3 victory Monday, Panther Valley entered last night's contest with a chance to close out its series with Towamensing.The Black Diamonds didn't disappoint, once again making the most of their opportunities to down the Yankees, 3-2."It was a fun group of kids," said Panther Valley coach Rich Evanko. "They were loose, they enjoyed playing baseball and they wanted to play everyday."It was a special group from the start with the guys that have been here and are graduating and moving on. They were the leaders of the team and they led us the whole year. They wanted the bat or the ball in key situations, and it was something special. It was special for our program. I couldn't have asked for anything more. It was a great win for these guys."It certainly wasn't an easy victory for the Black Diamonds, who trailed 1-0 entering the fourth inning.But much like it has done throughout the playoffs, Panther Valley made the most of its chances while getting contributions throughout the lineup.Singles by Sam Stanko and Darren Goida, who both finished 2-for-3, put pressure on Towamensing starter Ty Achtermann.After Matt Hudicka reached on a force play at third where the Yankees nailed Stanko trying to advance, Tristan Blasko delivered a long double to center field that scored Goida to tie the score at 1-1.It was more of the same in the fifth, as Jake Kusko got on base and advanced to second on an error to open the inning. Ryan Taras followed and lined a single to center field.Anthony Micholik put the Black Diamonds ahead with an RBI groundout that plated Kusko, and PV added another run when Anthony Collevechio slammed a ball to the outfield, which was misplayed and allowed Taras to score to make it 3-1."We have 14 or 15 kids on our roster, and it has been every single kid that has contributed throughout the year," Evanko said. "I couldn't ask for anything more from those guys."Goida made the runs hold up with a solid performance on the mound.Towamensing got on the board in the second.Zach Silfies started the rally with a leadoff single on the first pitch from Goida. Silfies then stole second and moved to third on a passed ball. With the count full, Conner Hoglen delivered an RBI single that scored Silfies and gave the Yankees the early 1-0 lead.Goida settled in after that, allowing only three base runners over the next three innings.Towamensing's next opportunity came in the sixth. After Jake Taschler was hit by a pitch to start the inning, the cleanup hitter moved to third on back-to-back wild pitches. Achtermann drove in Taschler with an RBI single.The Yankees had runners at first and second in the seventh after Brodie Bochler was hit by a pitch and Sal Melo connected for a single. But Goida got Ben Weber to strike out to end the game.Taschler, Melo and Isaac George all finished with two hits for the Yankees.Despite the loss, Towamensing coach Don Hunter was pleased with what his team accomplished this season"We only had three returning starters from our team last year," he said. "I asked a lot of guys that were role players last year to step up and many of them did."The future looks bright. Almost everybody that's coming back has two years left, and some guys have three. I'm proud of these guys."Panther Valley 000 120 0 - 3 7 1Towamensing 010 001 0 - 2 11Goida and Schmidt; Achtermann and Hetler. W - Goida. L - Achtermann.