The 2010 boys’ Region I Sectional is the books, as Cameron defeated both Valley and Paden City to win a trip to the regional playoffs.

To open the sectionals, the number three seed Valley Lumberjacks took on the second seed Paden City Wildcats at Paden City Park May 13. The ‘Jacks tallied three runs in the top of the seventh, highlighted by a two-run homer by Anthony Quinn to give them a come-from-behind 10-8 victory.

The ‘Jacks’ Cody Bates brought home a run on a fielder’s choice for the first tally of the game. Valley added one more run, without the benefit of a hit, to grab a 2-0 lead to open the game.

Lumberjack Alex “Hondo” Henderson stymied the Wildcats from the mound in the first two innings and the ‘Cats’ Josh Bennett – despite walking three batters in the first frame – chopped down the Lumberjacks without a hit until the third inning.

Brock Stackpole and Drew Wade opened the frame with the first two hits of the game, while Cody Scott brought home Stackpole with another single. Cody Bassett plated Wade and Quinn brought home the final two ‘Jack runs in the fourth.

The Wildcats responded with a three-spot in the third on four hits. Malakai Anderson drilled a double to start the rally. And after a strike out Bennett, Mitchell Stewart and Trey Leonard each brought home runs with base hits.

The ‘Cats scored two more runs in the fourth and fifth innings to grab a 7-6 advantage. However, the ‘Jacks penciled in a run in the sixth frame, but the ‘Cats wouldn’t give in and brought home a run in the bottom half of the sixth, before the seventh inning Lumberjack heroics.

The Wildcats out hit the Lumberjacks 9-8, but Valley took advantage of three Paden City errors, while the ‘Cats failed to take advantage of four ‘Jack miscues.

Anderson had the only extra base hit for the ‘Cats and Bennett and Jared Stewart both had multiple hits with singles. Leonard, Josh Yost, Jay Billiter, Taylor Still and Matt Barker each stroked singles. Mitchell Stewart added an RBI for the Wildcats.

Quinn smacked a home run and plated four base runners, while Wade and Stackpole each added a pair of singles. Scott and Henderson singled, while Bassett knocked in a run for the Lumberjacks.

Bennett started on the mound for the Wildcats and struck out seven while walking five. Anderson took the loss in relief with one strike out and no walks. Henderson started for the ‘Jacks and struck out three and walked five. Scott pitched one inning, didn’t strike out a batter and didn’t walk a batter. Bassett, who got the win from the hill, pitched the final inning and one- third and didn’t walk or retire anybody.

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The win gave the ‘Jacks a date with the top seeded Dragons on May 15 in Cameron, with Wade hustling to first on a walk. Scott answered with a home run and a quick 2-0 Valley lead.

The Dragons scored eight runs in the first on six hits, including a three-run home run. Valley tallied a run in the second inning and one in the third frame on solo home runs by Quinn and Wade, respectively.

Cameron would add six more runs in the second inning, that included a grand slam home run. The Dragons would add a solo home run in the third to complete the 15-4 victory.

The Valley loss pitted the ‘Jacks against the team they defeated just the night before – Paden City. The ‘Cats opened the game by scoring a run in the top of the first inning when Anderson walked, stole two bases and scored on a Yost double.

The ‘Jacks matched that with one of their own in the second frame on a Quinn solo home run. The Wildcats’ Ben Anderson singled and Yost blasted a homer to deep center field to take the advantage, 2-1.

However, Valley wasn’t going down without a fight and took the lead when Scott followed a Henderson single with a two-run shot to give Valley a 3-2 lead.

Neither team scored in the next two innings. However, Paden City tallied three runs in the sixth on three singles and scored four more in the seventh to put away Valley and move into the championship round, where they would have to beat Cameron to win the sectional.

However, the defensive play of the game came with Valley at bat and runners in scoring position. Yost robbed the ‘Jacks of an extra base hit with a diving grab at center, that would have scored at least two runs. Also, PCHS Head Coach Brian Croasmun intentionally walked Quinn to put the go-ahead run on base that also came out in favor of the ‘Cats.

Yost wasn’t the only player to make outstanding defensive plays. The Dragons center fielder, as well as Lumberjack center fielder Hunter Ring, made outstanding catches in the outfield, as did Travis Villers at left for Valley.

Mitchell Stewart went the distance to gain the nod from the rubber. He struck out five and walked two. Cody Bassett started and pitched four strong innings, struck out one and walked one took the loss. Albert McGuane pitched two and two-third innings and struck out two, while Scott pitched the final one-third inning.

Scott and Quinn each drilled a home run for Valley, while Wade, Henderson and Villers each added base hits.

Yost paced the ‘Cats, not only from the plate, but with his glove, as well. He smacked a double and a home run, while Bennett tallied three singles. Still, Mitchell Stewart, Jared Stewart and Jamie Billiter each added singles for the Wildcats.

In the championship bout May 15, the Dragons wasted little time in ending the Wildcats’ season with an 11-1 white-washing to reign as Region One Champions.

Anderson was the pitcher of record for Paden City. He struck out five and walked three to take the loss from the mound. Ryan Hughes got the win for Cameron, struck out six and walked two, while limiting the Wildcats to only a Jared Stewart single and a Bennett RBI.

The ‘Cats ended the season with a 12-13 record and will lose only Anderson and Bennett to graduation, while the Valley Lumberjacks will lose Scott, Villers and Quinn.