What was anticipated to be a slugfest between Anthracite and Jim Thorpe in the District 18 10-12 year-old tournament game on Sunday turned into a remarkable, low-scoring pitcher's duel.

Jim Thorpe entered the contest having scored 37 runs in its two games, while Anthracite had plated 21 runs in its two victories. Both teams have several capable home run hitters, which is why their battle was expected to produce plenty of runs.While home runs ended up being the deciding factor in Anthracite's 3-1 victory, the score was kept a lot lower by the starting hurlers.Anthracite had just three hits, two of them homers, including a two-run shot by Hayden Goida - his first career blast in his only at-bat. The other was a first-inning solo shot by Michael Pascoe.For Thorpe, Ian Henkles belted a homer in the second inning. It was one of only five hits for the team.Both pitchers went the distance, with Stephen Hood getting the win. He collected eight strikeouts, including the last three batters he faced. He gave up just two walks.On the mound for the Olympian squad was Adam Romanchik, who struck out six and walked one.Anthracite head coach Ron Hood, Stephen's father, was obviously proud of his son's pitching, saying it was "by far, by far" his best game of the season. Of his son's last-inning efforts, during which he fired nine strikes on 10 pitches, his last toss was the most impressive."I can't say enough about Steve," coach Hood said. "That last pitch, I think he reached down and got something on that one. That was the hardest ball he threw all night."Adam Romanchik pitched a great game for (Jim Thorpe). He kept us off balance with his off-speed stuff."Romanchik didn't allow any more runs over the final four innings, keeping his team in the game."Both pitchers pitched great games," said Thorpe head coach Tom Lienhard. "Adam Romanchik pitched an awesome game for us. Steve Hood kept us off balance. We just couldn't get any hits today. My hat is off to Anthracite and Steve Hood, who pitched a great game."We were on a tear there. We put up 23 runs against Freeland ... (Anthracite) came in and shut us down with their pitching tonight. Stephen kept us off balance and just threw a lot of junk to us and we just couldn't barrel anything up."All the scoring and hits came in the first three innings for both teams. Both teams had just one base runner over the last three frames.Pascoe's shot came with two out in the first. He sent the ball traveling over the center field fence.In the second for Anthracite, Goida fired his missile while Aiden Rohrbach was on second base.Hood praised Goida for stepping up when needed, stating that individuals putting forth that extra effort during crucial situations is the reason the team has been having success.Goida trades positions with another team member so he was seated after his home run and had no more opportunities at bat.Henkles was the leadoff batter in the second inning when he sent the ball over the right-center field fence. In the third, he came to bat with runners at first and third but was given a walk. Hood got out of the jam with a strikeout.NEXT FOR ANTHRACITE ... The loss ended District 18 play for Jim Thorpe. Anthracite returns to action on Wednesday to play Tri-County in Summit Hill. Last week, Anthracite defeated Tri County 9-8. The winner on Wednesday will play the loser of Valley West versus Valley East on Friday. The two Valley teams are also meeting Wednesday.SHORT CONTEST ... The entire game lasted about one hour and 15 minutes. District 18 Commissioner Jim Burns said this was one of the shortest games in the district playoffs.ANTHRACITE VS. VALLEY WEST ... Anthracite played Valley West on Saturday in what was then a battle of undefeated teams. West won the game 10-1. Jim Thorpe came into last night's game with only one loss, too. That was to Valley West earlier, 11-1.Anthracite 120 000 - 3 3 0Jim Thorpe 010 000 - 1 5 3S. Hood and Orsulak, Pascoe (5). Romanchik and Wimmer, Craigie (4). W - S. Hood. L - Romanchik.