Lehigh Little League Majors All-Stars defeated Southern Lehigh for the second time in the District 20 tournament on July 3, in eight innings, 4-2.

A pitcher’s duel for 4 1/2 innings with Zane Balaziuk and Dallas Cruz on the mound for Lehigh and Logan Davis on the mound for Solehi, torrential downpours put the game in a four-hour delay.

“I was slightly concerned about that, but they kept their energy up, and they wanted to play tonight,” said Lehigh coach Cory Kempinski. “Nobody wanted to finish tomorrow.”

Lehigh scored first on Jack Cresci’s RBI groundout in the seventh inning, and Solehi responded with Austin Showalter’s RBI single to center field to tie the game, 1-1.

With two outs and two runners on base, Solehi’s Davis was intentionally walked.

“Logan Davis has one of the most dangerous bats in District 20...We’d rather roll the dice with the No. 5 hitter, who’s also a great hitter, but we wanted to make sure the bases were loaded so we could get a force out anywhere,” said Coach Kempinski.

The decision paid off when Michael Magazzu hit a line drive straight into the glove of Colin Cramer at second base.

Then, in the top of the eighth, Lehigh’s Joey DeNisi belted a 2 RBI double to left field.

“I was just trying to drive it in the gap to get the two runs in, and I did it,” DeNisi said. “I kind of got jammed. I was really excited to give us the lead.”

Lehigh catcher Julian Correa’s sacrifice fly added another run, putting Lehigh ahead, 4-1.

“I was more relaxed (with our lead), but I knew I had to come out there and give it my all because this is a good team, and I know what they can do in late innings,” said Cruz. “I was throwing fastballs a lot, and then I was mixing it up with my curveball.”

Solehi scored one run in the bottom of the eighth on Logan Traub’s RBI single, and Cruz delivered a strikeout to end the game.

“I was so happy,” Cruz said. “I just like to play in the environment here, so I didn’t have any nerves at all.”

Lehigh saved a run in the bottom of the second inning when Davis got caught in a rundown between home plate and third base, tagged out by Anderson Ryzewski on a throw from Correa, and in the bottom of the fourth, Jackson Neeb made a tremendous diving catch in right field.

“Hats off to Southern Lehigh,” said Coach Kempinski. “That’s a great program over there, and Coach Spigelmyer does a great job with those kids. They’re a dangerous team.”

Lehigh advanced to face Pennridge in the District 20 final but lost, 10-3, on July 4 at Pennridge.