That saying certainly rang true in Keystone’s tournament rematch against Loyalsock, where it entered the last inning trailing by four runs before pulling off a miraculous six-run display to take home its fourth District 12 title in five years, 8-6, and second in a row.

It rang true for every spectator in the stands and every player on the field, as feelings of blissful disbelief and anguished despair filled Lamade Stadium within the final 15-minute span of the exciting, championship game.

In the world of sports, there are not many other scenarios that are quite as surreal as pulling off a last-inning comeback in a setting like Lamade Stadium.

For Keystone manager Cole Hanley, he felt vast array of emotions in a minute span of time.

Blair Bower of Loyalsock runs to first as Bryan Rote of Keystone tries to make the play on the ball as it rolls down the first base line during the District 12 major baseball championship game at Lamade Stadium. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

“There were a lot of different emotions in that last inning,” Hanley said after the game. “I was frustrated, I was happy, then I was really happy, then I was frustrated again. The boys pulled through and they never quit.”

Up next for Keystone is the Section 3 tournament, which is held in Beech Creek beginning Tuesday, July 18.

“We’re focused on sectionals now. We haven’t looked at it yet but we’re going to look at it now,” Hanley said. “We’re back to 0-0.”

Entering the sixth inning, most of what could go right had gone right for Loyalsock.

After giving up a run and back-to-back hits to Keystone’s Evan Edwards and Carter Frank, who finished with a combined five hits and three runs, Loyalsock wouldn’t give up another score until the fifth inning, as its defense did more than just hold things together.

Camden Fuller of Keystone tries to field a ball hit by Kam Miller of Loyalsock in the fifth inning during the District 12 major baseball championship game at Lamade Stadium. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Following that run, starting pitcher Parker Frederick would strand two runners before retiring Keystone’s side of the order in both the second and third innings. Through his first five innings on the mound, he struck out six Keystone batters while not issuing a single walk and allowing two runs.

“He’s incredible. I don’t know a kid that works harder at baseball,” said Loyalsock manager Mike Frederick. “I’m sure they’re out there and I’m sure I’m biased, but that kid’s up every morning and wants to do something even if it’s bands at night. We couldn’t have been more excited about his 12-year-old year.”

Offensively, Loyalsock did what it could to give it a decent cushion heading into the final inning.

It responded to Keystone’s first-inning run with three of its own, with Frederick and Dyson Dupont each scoring runs off a fielding error from Keystone and a wild pitch with the bases loaded getting Blair Bower home as well. A Curtis Lewis RBI in the second would carry it into the third inning with a 4-1 lead, which it held until the fifth.

And when Loyalsock responded to Keystone cutting into its lead in the fifth by increasing its lead to a game high of four, it genuinely seemed like the championship would be decided on Tuesday.

Camden Fuller of Keystone tries to make the play at home as Parker Frederick scores in the fifth inning during the District 12 major baseball championship game at Lamade Stadium. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Even when Frank hit his second RBI of the game to cut Keystone’s deficit to three, it was followed by a flyout the next at-bat, which placed the game in a final out scenario.

But there was still a chance.

With one out to go, Edwards and Frank were at the corners. A single from Camden Fuller, who had given up just three runs in 74 pitches from the mound, cut the Loyalsock lead to two as Edwards got home. Then, a walk loaded the bases.

Hayden Hanley would step up to bat having been grounded out his previous two times there and when he started with an 0-2 count, it seemed like Loyalsock would scrape by unscathed. But after hitting a foul ball on the next pitch, he’d make great contact with the ball to secure a two-RBI double.

Just like that, the game was tied.

Evan Batterson and Hayden Hanley celebrate after Hanley scored in the seventh inning during the District 12 major baseball campionship game at Lamade Stadium. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

The momentum had shifted completely, and Keystone had two runners in scoring position. While Loyalsock could still go into the bottom of the sixth with a tie score, one more hit would position it in the fight for its tournament life.

That one hit would come in the form of a Hayden Whitman single, as Hunter and Evan Batterson each found home. From there, Keystone would send Edwards in to close out the game, who would do so in just four batters.

The way in which Loyalsock lost was heartbreaking and that fact could be seen on the faces of those involved.

But Frederick was still incredibly proud of what his team was able to accomplish, and he feels like his players will eventually feel the same once the initial shock wears off.

“The perspective is hard at this point, but when they look back and realize they accomplished getting to the district championship and having that team on the ropes, which is a really good team, I think they’ll take some solace from that,” Frederick said.

The Loyalsock players react to their 8-6 loss in the District 12 major baseball championship game to Keystone at Lamade Stadium. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Keystone 100 016 – 8 10 1

Loyalsock 310 002 – 6 12 3

B. Rote, C. Fuller (1), E. Edwards (6). P. Frederick, B. Carper (6). W: Fuller L: Frederick S: Edwards.

Top Keystone hitters: C. Frank 3-3, 2 RBIs, run; E. Edwards 2-3, 2 runs, double; H. Whitman 2-3, 2 RBIs, run. H. Hunter 1-3, 2 RBIs, double, run. L. Bower 2-3. Top Loyalsock hitters: P. Frederick 2-3, double, 2 runs. D. Vassallo 2-3, RBI. D. Dupont 2-3, run. C. Lewis 1-2, 2B, RBI. L. Smith 2-3.

Keystone celebrate winning 8-6 over Loyalsock in the District 12 major baseball campionship game at Lamade Stadium. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express