MARK NANCE/For the Express Keystone first baseman Adam Meyer attempts to make a tough catch in foul territory during the team's 5-4 win over Montoursville in the District 12 championship on Wednesday, July 3, 2025, at Volunteer Stadium.

Tough competition often brings out the best of a team, whether that’s in a rivalry setting or simply a battle between two strong squads. That’s something the Keystone major baseball team experienced on its way here, an aspect it managed to overcome to advance to sectionals.

After cruising through its first two district games, the team endured a gut punch in the form of a nailbiter loss, falling to Montoursville, 3-2, in a game that would have propelled it to the next round. It’d be tasked with overcoming Montoursville in order to secure its Section 3 bid, and Montoursville would bring the same energy it used to force a decisive Game 3.

However, using the strengths it knew it had, flexible pitching and its experience together, Keystone was able to prevail, stifling a late Montoursville rally to win the District 12 championship, 5-4. Now, it hopes to carry the momentum it gained there into the Section 3 tournament, which is officially set to begin on Saturday.

“The kids have it in their mind that they want to make it as far, if not farther, than what they’ve done the last couple of years,” said Keystone manager Matt McDermott on the team. “Winning the district title was step one of what they want to accomplish.”

In the years leading up to their Little League all-star stint, this Keystone majors squad has had plenty of success. They made back-to-back sectional and state tournaments at the minor and 11U levels. And through those two stints, they accumulated a record of 18-7.

Facing that level of competition, coupled with consistently working together through long weeks of summer practices, has been a big driving factor in keeping the team’s Little League run alive up to this point. When push came to shove late in districts, that experience allowed them to buckle down and finish the job.

“The biggest keys are these kids have been playing together for several years, whether it be regular season or travel ball,” said McDermott.

Apart from the experience, Keystone has also developed unique versatility at the mound.

After mostly riding with ace pitcher Adam Meyer through their first three games, pitch counts forced Keystone to go with a completely different group for last Thursday’s championship game.

Giovanni Cej, the team’s leading hitter, proceeded to step up in the starting role, striking out eight and allowing just one run through 3 2/3 innings pitched in his first appearance at pitcher through this latest run. And though things got dicey from there, McDermott and Carter Leone helped finish the job.

“They can all pitch,” said McDermott on his team. “You have 12 kids that you can put on the mound and eat up innings and pitch counts. We’re pretty deep pitching wise as far as experience. Everybody can do it.”

Though Meyer has proven himself a considerable ace, posting an ERA of 0.42 and 27 strikeouts through 14 1/3 innings pitched, the team will need more than just him to make their way to states.

Keystone’s first game is on Saturday. And if all goes well and they win, they’ll play again on Sunday, with the Section 3 championship set for Tuesday. So, with pitch counts likely to become a factor, that depth could prove crucial in the long run.

Nonetheless, while future pitching strategies are being considered, the main focus right now is on the game right in front of them. To kick off the Section 3 tournament, Keystone will face Elk Lake, a Little League team that has yet to lose through its first six games of summer ball.

“I don’t know much about them, but we preach to the kids that the teams as you go didn’t get there by mistake,” said McDermott on the mentality heading into Saturday. “You’ve got to take every team serious and play the full six innings.”

In terms of preparations, the Keystone majors have worked hard throughout a long week of practice leading up to the tournament. With the team now practicing every day outside of competition, the goal has been to cover all the bases while also trying to mix in some fun.

The hope is that the work they’ve put in throughout the week will have them prepared for anything, and that the fun will keep their nerves grounded amidst a challenging period of prep. Saturday’s game is set for 2 p.m., and the team is as prepared as possible.

“They’re working hard, practicing six days a week. They’re putting in the work to make it as far as they can,” said McDermott on the team. “Hopefully they see the benefits, and the hard work pays off.”