Franklin Township’s 10-year-old all-stars were walking a tightrope late in the winners’ bracket final of the District 18 Little League tournament Wednesday.

Tamaqua had rallied after falling behind early, trimming the deficit to one run and putting the tying run on third base.

That never seemed to faze Franklin Township reliever Landon Cannon, who entered in the top of the fifth after starter Mav Kegerise reached the 75-pitch limit. Cannon got a slow roller to second baseman Graham, who threw to first for the final out to preserve an 8-7 victory.

The win sends Tamaqua into Saturday’s losers’ bracket final against Jim Thorpe at 6 p.m. The winner must defeat Franklin Township twice to capture the championship in the double-elimination tournament.

“I was a little nervous there, but our kids hung in,” Franklin Township manager Nick Storm said. “We got off to that strong start, and Tamaqua has a great program and kids that are very good, but we made the big outs when we needed them and got the clutch hits, too.”

Tamaqua grabbed a 2-0 lead with a two-run first inning. After winning the pregame coin flip to bat first, Lucas Brennan walked, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Luke Tuckett also walked and moved to second before George Pinkey delivered a clutch two-run single.

Franklin Township answered immediately with four runs in the bottom of the first. It managed just one hit — a single by Kegerise — while Tamaqua struggled with its control and defense, issuing three walks and committing two errors.

“That is not like us,” Tamaqua manager Mike Brennan said. “Our pitching is solid, but it was one of those days where we had our share of errors and walks. We know that we are better than the way we played.”

The Maroon Marauders kept the pressure on with a three-run second inning to build a 7-2 lead. Walks again proved costly for Tamaqua, while Ethan Eckhart and Nash Cuyler both had RBI singles.

Franklin managed just one more run the rest of the way, but it proved to be the game-winner. With one out in the fourth, Brody Dronick was hit by a pitch. Graham advanced him to second with a sacrifice bunt before Kegerise lined the game’s first extra-base hit, a run-scoring double.

Tamaqua chipped away with three runs in the fourth, another in the fifth and one more in the sixth to nearly complete the comeback.

Hunter Hill singled home a run in the fourth, Kaden Fink added a single, and the Blue Raiders also capitalized on two Franklin Township errors.

In the fifth, Rocco Biasi sparked the rally with a single before Sylis Setlock followed with an RBI single.

Tamaqua threatened again in the sixth. After Tuckett was robbed of an extra-base hit by Franklin Township left fielder Logan Kunkle, Pinkey walked. With two outs, Bennett ripped an RBI double to score Pinkey and cut the deficit to one.

With the tying run at third, Cannon battled through a full count before inducing the final batter to ground out, ending the game.

“They’re a very good team, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them again,” Storm said.

WEB GEMS … Both teams turned in several standout defensive plays. Besides Kunkle’s catch on Tuckett’s drive, Graham made several nice plays at second base, while catcher Nash Cuyler was solid behind the plate. Tamaqua’s Fink also made two outstanding plays at second, and Brennan was sharp at shortstop.

SWINGING AWAY … Tamaqua outhit Franklin Township 8-5. Hill had two hits, Bennett doubled, and Pinkey, Fink, Biasi, Setlock and Brennan each singled. Kegerise led Franklin Township with a double and a single, while Cuyler, Eckhart and Hudson Parliman all added singles.

Tamaqua 200 311 — 7 8 3

Franklin Twp. 430 10x — 8 5 4

Bennett, Hill (2) and Graver; Kegerise, Cannon (5) and Cuyler. W — Kegerise. L — Bennett.