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Wycallis Leads the Charge as Back Mountain Edges West Point in State Tournament Nail-Biter

Wycallis Leads the Charge as Back Mountain Edges West Point in State Tournament Nail-Biter

By: Brad Loff | SportzWire | July 27, 2026 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus

Back Mountain held on through a dramatic late-game rally on Monday afternoon, securing a gritty 5-4 victory over West Point in Pennsylvania State Little League Major Baseball Tournament play.

Back Mountain set the tone early in the top of the first inning, capitalizing on patient plate discipline and timely hitting. After Matthew Wycallis singled to center field, Jack Katyl and Bruce Knowles worked back-to-back walks to fill the bases with two outs. Jordan Rollins then delivered a huge blow, lacing a bases-clearing double into center field to drive in three runs and stake Back Mountain to an immediate 3-0 cushion.

West Point fought back in the bottom half of the frame, taking advantage of a couple of walks and a hit by pitch. Dominic Bova knocked a groundout to second base to plate Carter Finley, and an error on a grounder by Kaden Kriger allowed Bryce Gates to score, quickly cutting the deficit to 3-2.

The battle turned into a defensive duel over the next two innings as both pitching staffs settled into a groove. West Point broke through to tie the contest in the bottom of the third. With two runners on, Lucas Henry ripped a single down the left-field line to score Finley, leveling the score at 3-3.

With the game tied in the top of the sixth, Back Mountain created chaos on the basepaths to reclaim the lead. Ethan Wielgosz drew a lead-off walk, and Player of the Game Matthew Wycallis followed with a ground ball to third base, reaching on an error. With runners on second and third, Back Mountain executed a double steal attempt. Wielgosz swiped home while Wycallis advanced to third and scored on a throwing error by the catcher, giving Back Mountain a critical 5-3 lead.

West Point mounted a fierce comeback attempt in the bottom of the sixth. Hilton Bricker singled and eventually scored on a single by Dom Bova to pull West Point within a run at 5-4. With the tying run at second base and the winning run at first, Back Mountain reliever Ollie Bross kept his composure, freezing the final batter with a strikeout looking to secure the dramatic victory.

Ollie Bross earned the win in relief for Back Mountain, throwing three solid innings while surrendering three hits and one run while striking out four. Lucas Henry tossed 3.1 innings of effective relief for West Point, giving up zero earned runs while striking out three.

Game Performers

Back Mountain Top Performers

Matthew Wycallis (Player of the Game): 2-for-3, 2 Runs Scored, 1 Stolen Base
Jordan Rollins: 1-for-1, 1 Double, 2 RBI, 1 Walk | Pitching: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 SO
Ollie Bross: Pitching: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO (Win)
Ethan Wielgosz: 1 Run Scored, 1 Walk, 1 Stolen Base