Luke Anderson broke it open, but Greencastle’s bats didn’t stop there.

The Section 7 champions came alive at the plate in Thursday’s second-round game against Southern Lehigh. With two home runs and a slew of hard-hit balls, Greencastle cruised to a four-inning victory, winning 12-0 to advance in the winners’ bracket of the Pennsylvania Little League Baseball state tournament at Pitt-Bradford.

After a 3-0 victory Wednesday against Back Mountain, Greencastle followed with another impressive performance, and put itself within striking distance of the state championship game.

“I know we can hit the ball, we’ve proved it before, one through 13,” Greencastle manager Jason Rakaczewski said. “I couldn’t be happier with my guys that came off the bench and hit the ball the way they did. We practiced and trained for this day, and they delivered. I couldn’t be more proud of the team.”

A leadoff walk set up Greencastle’s lone run in the first inning, but Greencastle got its bats going in the second, as Spencer Long roped an RBI double to the wall. With runners on second and third, Cam Rakaczewski was intentionally walked, setting up Anderson for a grand slam that soared over the wall in left center.

“That was a big hit for us and it put us in a different ball game as far as what we want to do and the plan we had,” Jason Rakaczewski said. “When you score runs and hold a team down, it saves innings for your pitchers so they can come back the following day or the next day. (Anderson) is a clutch player and he came through in the clutch.”

Anderson’s blast suddenly gave Greencastle a six-run advantage, a lead that felt comfortable with Connor Flohr on the mound. After Cam Rakaczewski shut down Back Mountain the day before, Flohr blanked SL, as he threw 2.2 shutout innings before Anderson finished the game.

“We have a deep staff, and we have more guys that other teams haven’t seen yet,” Jason Rakaczewski said. “We’re going to keep working, and I hope they get the opportunity to show what they can do between the lines.”

Greencastle continued its offensive outburst in the third, as Quinton Carr slugged a two-run home run. A four-run fourth finished the job, allowing Greencastle to save valuable pitch counts as it awaits Saturday’s game.

Jex McDowell, Bryce Wilhide and Cole Burkholder each had two hits for Greencastle, which will take on Keystone at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Braylon Showalter and Adam Fritts accounted for Southern Lehigh’s lone two hits. The Section 6 champions will turn around to play DuBois Friday at 5 p.m. in an elimination game.

“We’ll enjoy (Thursday) and make the best of it; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the kids,” Jason Rakaczewski said. “But we’re going to come back tomorrow and work hard to get ready for Saturday.”

Back Mountain 4,

Aston-Middletown 3

Talan Geskey left no doubt.

Twenty minutes after his team had nearly escaped with a victory over Aston-Middletown, Geskey kept Back Mountain alive with a walk-off home run. As the ball sailed over the right field wall, the tension from the previous inning faded, and Back Mountain sealed a 4-3 win to avoid elimination.

After a stellar pitching performance by Cole Langdon, BM found itself leading by a run entering A-M’s final turn at-bat. A-M loaded the bases, however, and with no one out, appeared poised to tie the game.

That’s when things got interesting.

As BM’s shortstop dove to catch a soft line drive, it was unclear whether he had caught the ball in the air, which would have allowed BM to double-up runners at second and third base and end the game. The ball was eventually ruled to have hit the ground, allowing the tying run to score for A-M.

Back Mountain had secured a force out at third, however, and when the next batter hit a ground ball, BM forced a double play up the middle to keep the score level.

Then came Geskey’s blast, which kept his team’s season alive.

“I was honestly pretty nervous when I came up to bat,” Geskey said. “I saw a high fastball and smoked it. It feels amazing. We’re excited to move on and we hope to keep going.”

Langdon tossed a complete game for BM, using control of the zone and a tight-spinning curveball to strike out three while scattering seven hits.

“(Langdon) throws strikes,” BM manager Johnny Oliver said. “His curveball was on (Thursday) and he’s a tough kid to beat.”

The teams traded blows before the fateful sixth inning, as A-M struck with a run in the first before BM tied it in the third. Colt Sullivan led A-M with two hits and an RBI, while Kyle Anstotz had a hit and drove in two runs.

Kolby Shook and Trever Cunningham each had a hit and an RBI for BM, which will advance to play Hollidaysburg in a consolation game Friday.

A-M, which fell to 0-2, was eliminated from championship contention. A consolation game between A-M and Hermitage was scheduled for Friday, but Hermitage opted to return home instead of playing a third game.

“I’m super happy for the boys,” Oliver said. “It’s been a long year, and to progress to the next level on an outcome like that was fantastic. It was a great game against a great team. We’ve taken two No. 1 pitchers to their limit, so we’re batting every at-bat.”