Old Forge Claims District 17 Minors Championship, Advances to Section 5 Tournament
By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | July 3, 2026 | Photo courtesy Submission
Championship softball was on full display Thursday night at Miles Street Park as the Old Forge Little League Minors All-Stars and the North Pocono Dandy Lion All-Stars battled for the District 17 Championship. After North Pocono answered an early deficit with a three-run first inning, Old Forge responded with timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and a dominant performance in the circle to secure a 12-7 victory and advance to next week’s Section 5 Tournament at the Mid Valley Little League Complex in Throop.
Old Forge wasted little time getting on the board in the top of the first inning. Adeline Renzi lined an RBI single to give her team the early lead.
North Pocono answered immediately in the home half of the inning. Carmela Bilotta ripped an RBI single to right field before Leona Nealon drove in a run with a groundout. Moments later, Lucy Loringer added an RBI single to left, giving North Pocono a 3-2 advantage after one.
Old Forge responded in the second, tying the game when Makynlee Reilly drove in a run on a groundout before taking control in the third. Renzi’s sacrifice fly highlighted a three-run inning that put Old Forge ahead 6-3, and the District 17 champions never surrendered the lead. They added insurance throughout the contest before putting the game away with a six-run sixth inning.
Olivia Scarnato turned in a championship-worthy performance in the circle, pitching a complete game while allowing six hits and seven runs, six earned, over six innings. The left-hander struck out 12 and walked five, including an immaculate second inning in which she retired the side on just nine pitches.
North Pocono’s Liliana Pellegrino battled through six innings, striking out 11 while allowing eight hits and 12 runs, 10 earned.
Old Forge collected eight hits on the afternoon, led by back-to-back hitters Kali Notari and Adeline Renzi, who each finished with two hits. Notari also drove in a team-high two runs. Kendyll Carver, Sydney Kishel, Liza Pecuch, and Vada Musgrave each swiped multiple bases as Old Forge piled up 15 stolen bases. Defensively, Old Forge played a flawless game without committing an error, while Kishel anchored the defense with a team-high 12 chances.
North Pocono continued to battle until the final out. Leona Nealon drove in two runs, while Lucy Loringer, Carmela Bilotta, Sara Havenstrite, Molly Tucky, Liliana Pellegrino, and Victoria Polak each recorded a hit. Alexandra Barrett and Pellegrino each drew two walks as North Pocono showed patience at the plate, and the team stole eight bases. The Dandy Lions also turned in an error-free defensive effort, with Barrett recording a team-high 11 defensive chances.
With the District 17 championship secured, Old Forge now advances to the Section 5 Tournament next week at the Mid Valley Little League Complex in Throop, where the young All-Stars will look to keep their postseason run alive against the best teams from across the region.
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter / X
YouTube
