Back Mountain Bounces Abington in Section 5 Semifinal, Sets Up Rematch with Valley View
By: SportzWire | Sportzwire | July 10, 2025 | Photo courtesy Back Mt LL
CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. — Back Mountain National kept its postseason hopes alive Thursday night at Ackerly Field, defeating Abington All-Stars, 10-2, in a Section 5 11U elimination game.
The win sends Back Mountain to the championship round, where they’ll face undefeated Valley View on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Back Mountain will need to beat Valley View twice in what would be a double-header — Friday starting 530pm — to claim the Section 5 title and advance to the state tournament in State College.
Back Mountain struck early, getting on the board in the top of the first when Matthew Wycallis grounded out to bring home a run. In the second, Jack Kapral lifted a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.
The third inning proved to be the turning point. Back Mountain plated five runs on just three hits. Michael Ciaccia drew a bases-loaded walk, Ethan Wielgosz and Wycallis each drove in runs on fielder’s choices, Oliver Bross forced in another with a walk, and Andrew Salko capped the rally with an RBI double.
On the mound, Jordan Rollins came out of the bullpen and tossed 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the win, striking out one and allowing just one hit. Wielgosz, Isaac Tribendis, and Salko all collected two hits apiece, while Wycallis finished with a team-best two RBIs.
Abington managed hits from Carson Walsh, Caleb Engerman, and Peter Adair, but couldn’t keep pace with the hot-hitting Back Mountain squad. Walsh started the game, surrendering seven runs across three innings with two strikeouts.
Back Mountain now turns its focus to Friday’s rematch, needing one win to force a decisive game directly after their 530pm face-off. Valley View needs just one more win to clinch the Section 5 crown and a spot in the state tournament in State College, Pa.
