.jpg "Mid Valley Controls Oil City from Start to Finish in Senior League State Tournament Win")
Mid Valley Controls Oil City from Start to Finish in Senior League State Tournament Win
By: Justin Bradley | Sportzwire | July 9, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography
DUBOIS, Pa. — With their season on the line once again, Mid Valley’s Senior League All-Stars delivered a poised and complete performance, cruising past Section 1 champion Oil City, 9-4, on Wednesday at Stern Family Field to stay alive in the Little League Senior Division State Tournament.
Unlike their prior games this week, there was no need for late-inning heroics. Mid Valley took control early — scoring twice in the top of the first — and never looked back, stringing together timely hits, clean defense, and quality pitching to notch their second straight state tournament win.
Lucas Zuraski sparked the offense with an RBI single to left, and Aaron Merrifield added a productive groundout to make it 2-0 right out of the gate. Mid Valley kept applying pressure in the second, as Spencer Kalinoski drove in a run with a single and Zuraski plated another with a groundout to extend the lead to 4-1.
Kalinoski wasn’t done. He finished 2-for-4 with a game-high three RBIs, helping Mid Valley tack on insurance in the later innings.
On the mound, it was a true team effort. Ian Scanlon started and held Oil City hitless over 1.1 innings, allowing one run while working around five walks. Bill Jackson picked up the win in relief, tossing 2.2 innings of three-hit ball, surrendering just two earned runs. Paxton Grebb closed it out with three scoreless frames, allowing only two hits and striking out one.
Zackary Buza led the hit column, going 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, while Scanlon chipped in two hits of his own. Jeremy Cali also swiped multiple bags, as Mid Valley tallied six total steals to stay aggressive on the basepaths.
Defensively, Mid Valley turned three double plays — a testament to the team’s sharp situational awareness and execution in the field.
For Oil City, Xander Gordon was a bright spot, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs from the catcher spot. Despite the loss, Oil City played clean defense, committing no errors in the field. Austin Hummal led the team with seven defensive chances.
Now 2-1 in the tournament, Mid Valley has momentum and confidence as they move deeper into the bracket. With all phases of the game clicking, the Section 5 champs look poised for another strong showing as the chase for a state title continues.
