By MICHAEL STONER Sports Writer for the Daily Herald

The Tyrone Golden Eagles have fully adopted the underdog mentality as they once again marched into enemy territory and upset a higher seed for the second straight game punching their ticket to the District Championship game while also securing a spot in the state playoffs.

Much like their matchup in the District Playoffs last year, Tyrone traveled to Forest Hills in a matchup where they were not favored and they once again upset the Rangers by a score of 3-2 to advance to the District 6 Championship game.

The Golden Eagles started off the game with a bang scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. After Zac Legars started off the game with a single back-to-back double by Ashton Walk and Ross Gampe gave Tyrone an early 2-0 lead.

After Forest Hills added a run in the bottom of the first inning Tyrone stretched the lead back to two again in the top of the third inning. Zac Legars continued his tear at the plate when he unleashed a solo homerun deep into left field giving Tyrone a 3-1 lead.

Most of the game outside the first inning was a pitcher’s duel started by Tyrone Senior Caiden Bonsell. Bonsell got the ball to start the game and did not disappoint as he commanded the Ranger hitters for the first four innings of the game only surrendering two hits on four runs.

Once Bonsell’s time on the mound game to an end Tyrone turned to fellow senior Ross Gampe who picked up right where Bonsell left off now allowing the Rangers hitters to pick up any momentum. Gampe only allowed one hit over the final three innings of the game, sending Tyrone on and the Rangers home Tyrone on and sending the Rangers home once again.

Although Forest Hills was able to get another run to cut the Golden Eagle’s lead to 3-2 that was all they would be able to do off the Eagle’s arms the rest of the way as Gampe closed the door on any comeback hope they had.

With the victory, Tyrone secured a spot in the District Championship game for the second time in three years. They will face a familiar foe Monday afternoon at The Point in Johnstown at 4 PM looking to capture the title and building even more momentum before moving on to the State Playoffs.

TYRONE (3): LeGars cf 322, Walk ss 311, Gampe 1b-p 201, C. McClure 1b 000, Hamer c 300, Coleman rf 300, Miller lf 300, B. McClure 3b 301, Lehner 2b 301, Bonsell p 000, J. Patterson dh 300. Totals – 26-3-6.

FOREST HILLS (2): Brody Roberts 2b-p 300, C. Williamson lf 411, B. Williamson c 201, Kreger 1b 200, Orris ss 300, Cornell 3b 301, Burda p 000, Bryce Roberts dh 200, Maul lf 300, Rearick cf 312. Totals – 25-2-5.

SCORE BY INNINGS

Tyrone 201 000 0–3-6-1

Forest Hills 100 010 0–2-5-0

E–B. McClure. 2B–Walk, Rearick. HR–LeGars. RBI–Walk, Gampe, LeGars, C. Williamson. SB–Gampe 2, Lehner, Rearick.

PITCHING

Tyrone: Bonsell 4+IP, 3H, 2R, 1ER, 1BB, 1SO; Gampe (SV) 3IP, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 0SO.

Forest Hills: Burda (L) 3IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 0BB, 4SO; Brody Roberts 4IP, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 3SO.

Records: Tyrone (12-10); Forest Hills (19-2).