FREELAND – The Towamensing 8-10-Year-Old All-Stars are no strangers to adversity.

They already displayed their determination this postseason, fighting back to win the South Division title after a mercy-rule loss just 24 hours earlier.

And they almost rallied to force a decisive third game in the District 18 North-South championship series on Sunday.

But this comeback attempt came up short, as North Division champion Valley West roared ahead late with two huge innings to claim the district crown with an 18-8 victory at Veteran’s Field at Gus Speal Memorial Park.

“I thought we showed a little bit better fight today,” said Towamensing manager Andy Pengelly. “But then the fifth inning, some of the base running mistakes really hurt us. And then defensively, we just sort of fell apart that same inning as well.”

Towamensing showed its mettle earlier this week, rebounding from a 10-0 loss to Franklin Township to claim the South Division title with an 11-6 victory the next night.

Facing an early deficit against Valley West was nothing new for Pengelly’s squad.

“They’re used to that, because that happened against Franklin Township,” Pengelly said. “We’re starting to get used to it. It wasn’t happening early (in the tournament); we were jumping all over teams early in the South tournament.

“But playing against a tough Franklin team, and now a against a tough (Valley) West team, we’re getting used to having to battle a little bit.”

Towamensing wiped out a 4-1 deficit with six runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 7-4 lead, and had a chance to add to the total in the next inning.

After Jason Carrelli pitched a 1-2-3 top of the fourth, Towamensing appeared primed to add to its total in the bottom half of the frame when Cameron Pengelly and Logan Anthony both reached on errors to start the inning.

But Pengelly was thrown out trying to score on a groundout by Caden Sell.

Caleb Jacoby followed with a hit to right field. When the ball was bobbled, Jacoby tried to go to second – and Anthony attempted to score. But Jacoby was thrown out at second base before Anthony made it home, ending the inning and keeping the score 7-4.

“It was a downer, but it didn’t feel like the end of the world because we were still up by three,” said Pengelly. “I think it hurt our momentum a little bit, but I thought, ‘Well, if we just come out and make a play, we’ll get the momentum right back.’”

It was a shift in momentum Valley West took advantage of.

Valley West scored 14 runs over the next two innings – including 10 in the sixth, when they almost batted around twice – to take an 18-7 lead and command of the game.

“As a team, we had to keep their heads in the game and keep them focused,” said Valley West coach Josh Esposito. “Because going down in a championship game, puts a little bit on their minds. But just a quick little speech with them to talk them down, and we got their heads right back into it.”

Towamensing left the door open, and Valley West kicked it in.

“We put runs up, and stopped them,” said Esposito. “We got a couple breaks with some of their bounces out in the field … but everything seemed to go our way, and it ended up being a perfect game.”

Pengelly collected his third RBI in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single to score Carrelli to make it 18-8. Pengelly had three hits, while Carrelli finished a home run shy of the cycle and scored three times.

Jacoby also had two hits and scored once. Alex Keiper’s RBI single in the third inning put Towamensing up 7-4.

HOW THEY GOT HERE … Valley West defeated Towamensing 9-4 on Saturday to win the first game of the series. Jason Carrelli had an inside-the-park home run for Towamensing and scored twice, while Alex Keiper added two hits. Ben Rider also had a hit and scored a run. Valley West used a six-run third inning to blow open close game and take an 8-3 lead.

UP NEXT … Valley West advances to the sectional tournament.

Valley West 112 04(10) - 18 11 6

Towamensing 106 001 - 8 11 8

Gennaro, Welch (3), Esposito (5) and Heller; Pengelly, Carrelli (4), Matsko (5), Becker (6) and Anthony. W - Welch. L - Carrelli.