Thatcher’s Grand Slam Fuels Mid Valley in District 32 Rout Over Green Ridge
By: Justin Bradley | Sportzwire | July 3, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography
DICKSON CITY — Mid Valley made a loud statement at Crystal Park, using a massive offensive effort and dominant pitching to cruise past Green Ridge 11-1 in a District 32 12U All-Star elimination game on Wednesday.
Brendan Thatcher delivered the biggest swing of the night — a second-inning grand slam that cleared the left field fence and pushed Mid Valley's lead to nine. The cleanup hitter finished 2-for-2 with four RBIs to lead the charge.
Mid Valley got rolling early, plating four runs in the bottom of the first. Owen Mills set the tone with a solo home run to center field, followed by a bases-loaded walk to Kellan Hughes and a two-run single off the bat of James Rabel.
In the second, the bats stayed hot. Mills was hit by a pitch to bring in a run before Thatcher’s grand slam cracked the game open. Patrick Hillier and Johnny Matthews added RBI hits in the third to make it 11-0.
Mills was equally sharp on the mound, tossing three no-hit innings with three strikeouts and two walks to earn the win. Hillier and Mason Tuft handled relief duties to seal the deal.
Rabel and Thatcher each collected two hits to lead a balanced Mid Valley offense that also played clean, error-free defense.
Green Ridge’s lone run came in the fourth inning off an RBI by Anthony D, and Brian M. recorded the team’s only hit.
With the win, Mid Valley now turns its attention to Thursday’s elimination battle against Christy Mathewson, with both teams vying for a shot at Lakeland, who awaits the winner in the District 32 championship game.
