Valley East plays by the motto - all gas no brakes.

On Wednesday night in Game 1 of the 9-10 District 18 Little League North-South championship series, that’s exactly the approach Valley East took, defeating Jim Thorpe 7-0.

Valley East scored three runs in the first, and pitcher Brantlee Butcher was dominant on the mound to give VE a commanding 1-0 series lead heading into Game 2 on Saturday.

“We preach all gas no brakes,” said Valley East manager Jarod Testa. “Our goal is to try and get out to a fast start, and then keep the foot on the gas pedal. Keep the pressure on and don’t let up. That’s the way we try and do it.”

VE was able to get off to a fast start, getting six base runners on in the first. Rex Molinaro started off the inning with a hit followed by two more Valley East hitters drawing walks. A few wild pitches and passed balls advanced those runners and eventually lead to two runs to make it a 2-0 game.

An infield single by Aiden Ferdinand made it 3-0. VE finished the inning with two hits, three batters drawing walks and three runs.

Valley East’s team speed was able to take advantage of a few JT miscues.

“We want to use our speed. We want to run and we want to keep running,” said Testa. “Every single play we’re looking to put pressure on the defense. Put the ball in play, and you give yourself a chance for good things to happen.”

After a strong first inning, Butcher went to work. Butcher got in rhythm early and often, striking out nine batters through the first three innings and allowing just one hit to Thorpe batter Owen Hosier.

Butcher cruised the rest of the way, striking out two more in the fourth and one more in the fifth before having to leave due to reaching his pitch limit.

“Butcher was great out there for us tonight. Everything was working for him,” said Testa. “He’s a very talented kid. When he has it going like he had today both being mentally strong and combining that with his talent, he’s tough. His off-speed stuff was really on target today, and when he’s able to mix that in with his fast ball, it’s a game-changer for us.”

Valley East continued to apply pressure on the offensive end, adding a run in the fourth and a run in the fifth. In the sixth, VE was able to add even more insurance with three hits and two runs to make it 7-0. Molinaro started off the inning with a nifty bunt single. Then back-to-back triples, along with RBIs from Butcher and Ferdinand put Valley East in the driver’s seat.

Molinaro came on in relief for Butcher and kept JT off the scoreboard as well, finishing the bottom of the sixth with back-to-back strikeouts to end it.

“You have to give them the credit. Their pitcher was throwing strikes, and he was dialed in. We take pride in swinging at the right pitches and going in there and battling, and I think we could have done a much better job of that,” said Jim Thorpe manager Kevin Thompson. “But we got another shot at it. Three-game series, so you have to go out there and grind and try and get Game 2 to force a Game 3.”

IN THE BOX… For Valley East, Ferdinand had three hits and two RBIs, Molinaro had two hits, and Butcher and Shafer came through with RBIs. For JT, Hosier and Jase Hollenbach both collected hits.

CARVING THEM UP… Butcher was solid in this one, giving up zero runs and one hit, while striking out 12 in 4 2/3 innings.

NEXT UP… Game 2 will be played on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Valley West. JT needs to win in order to force a Game 3 on Sunday, which would be played at the same time and at the same location.

Valley East 300 112 - 7 9 2

Jim Thorpe 000 000 - 0 2 4

Butcher, Molinaro (5) and Fendrick; Dedinsky, Hollenbach (3), Hosier (6) and A. Eckert. W - Butcher. L - Dedinsky.