GWA 11/12 All-Stars Walk It Off in Thriller Over Back Mountain, Advance to District Final
By: Brad Loff | Sportzwire | June 23, 2025 | Photo courtesy Team
The GWA 11/12 All-Stars delivered a statement win Monday night at Cedar Street Field, securing an electrifying 8-7 walk-off victory over Back Mountain to advance to the District 16 Championship. Down to their final outs, GWA rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning to cap a back-and-forth battle that showcased grit, timely hitting, and heads-up baserunning.
Tied at seven entering the final frame, Kayla Magallanes came up clutch with a sharp single to left field, driving home the game-winning run and setting off a dugout celebration. It was a fitting end to a game where momentum swung inning by inning and neither team let up.
Back Mountain Strikes Early
Back Mountain jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first after an RBI groundout by Everleigh M and a bases-loaded walk by Sarah A. They extended that lead in the third to 4-1 following a walk by Ryder A and a GWA defensive miscue.
GWA Storms Back
GWA’s offense answered in the bottom of the fourth. Emma S ripped a two-run double to center, Lillian M added a productive RBI groundout, and an error by Back Mountain allowed another run to score, giving GWA a 4-3 edge.
After Back Mountain surged back ahead 6-4 in the top of the fifth—highlighted by an RBI single from Vivienne B and a two-run error—GWA once again responded in the sixth. Sophia J was hit by a pitch, Isabella M drove in a run with a groundout, and another error brought across the tying run. That set the stage for Magallanes’ walk-off heroics.
Pitching Duel
Natalie P earned the win in the circle for GWA. Over 5.2 gritty innings, she threw 124 pitches (71 strikes), allowing nine hits and seven runs (six earned), while striking out seven and walking five. Her composure under pressure helped keep GWA within striking distance all night.
Back Mountain’s Norah O pitched well despite the loss, also tossing 5.2 innings while surrendering nine hits and eight runs (only three earned). She tallied seven strikeouts and issued just two walks on 102 pitches.
Offensive Leaders – GWA
Emma S: 2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI, double
Natalie P: 2-for-3
Lillian M: 1-for-3, RBI, double
Stella R: 1-for-3, RBI
Sophia A and Harper M: Each added a hit
Isabella M: RBI
Harper M and Gianna C: Each stole 2 bases
Sophia J and Gianna C were hit by pitches
Offensive Leaders – Back Mountain
Camryn R: 2-for-2, 3 runs, walk, 2 SB
Vivienne B: 2-for-3, 2 runs, double, SB
Everleigh M: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 SB
Norah O, Chloe P, Olivia S, and Sienna M: Each added a hit
Ryder A and Sienna M each tallied an RBI
Back Mountain recorded 10 total stolen bases
Defensive Highlights and Miscues
Both teams traded errors that led to runs, with GWA committing five and Back Mountain two. Despite the miscues, timely defensive plays kept the game from slipping too far out of reach for either side.
With the win, GWA now sets its sights on Friday’s District 16 Championship against Northwest.
Top Performer Stats Breakdown:
GWA 11/12
Emma S: 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B
Natalie P: 2-3, 0 R, 0 RBI
Lillian M: 1-3, 1 RBI, 2B
Stella R: 1-3, 1 R, 1 RBI
Harper M: 1-3, 1 R, 2 SB
Isabella M: 1 RBI
Sophia A: 1-3, 1 R
Pitching: Natalie P – 5.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R (6 ER), 5 BB, 7 K (W)
Back Mountain
Camryn R: 2-2, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 SB
Vivienne B: 2-3, 2 R, 2B, SB
Everleigh M: 1-3, RBI, 2 SB
Pitching: Norah O – 5.2 IP, 9 H, 8 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 7 K (L)
