The Northwest Cyclones were hopeful in their second-chance at a state playoff game in the PA State Connie Mack Tournament but lost their bid to advance after a 15-12 loss to Central Catholic on July 25 at Limeport Stadium.

“We knew the season was on the line here, and we had to do everything to get the win tonight, and I believe we did,” said Northwest manager Paul Fiore. “The Central team played a heck of a game. Honestly, I felt we played the Central team and the umpires tonight, so it was a little rough go. They’re taking it tough.”

Central scored first, but Northwest saved a run when center fielder Dylan Pyle threw out Central’s Cole Croslis at home plate.

“He’s got a cannon out there,” said Coach Fiore of Pyle.

Northwest’s first inning was bigger than Central’s when the Cyclones took a 3-1 lead on a bases-loaded 2 RBI single to center by Aaron Clark. Dominik Perez, Jeyron Velez, and Miguel Diaz-Rivera all had base hits, and Pyle was safe at first base on a fielder’s choice.

Velez had a 2 RBI double to right, and Ezra Figueroa had an RBI to tie the game in the second inning, 7-7.

Central added five runs in the top of the third, but Northwest was only able to answer with one in the bottom of the same inning.

Northwest turned a double play in the fourth when DJ Millhouse, Jr. made a catch and threw to first baseman Dominick Fiore to force an out on Central’s Armani Torres.

Northwest tallied two runs in the fifth inning on base hits by JJ Cruz and Kole Zellner, and pitcher Evan Applegate threw two strikeouts and forced a ground out in the top of the sixth.

Central led 13-11 heading into the seventh and final inning when Nicholas Albanese led off with a triple and ended up scoring after an overthrow to third base.

“He was just insane,” said Coach Fiore. “He hit the ball all night, and we did the best we could with it.”

The Vikings scored their last run on a bases-loaded bunt.

Zellner led off the bottom of the seventh for Northwest with a single to center, followed by Tommy Coughlin’s base hit to right.

“I’ll give [Tommy] the most credit in the world,” Coach Fiore said. “He’s one of the youngest guys on the team, first-year player, and he doesn’t start every day, but when he’s called upon, he’s ready.”

Perez walked, and Pyle had an RBI single to left field for Northwest’s final run of the game.

“A lot of bounces didn’t go our way, and that’s just part of the game,” said Northwest assistant coach Dave Pyle, “and a lot of the ballplayers we have on this team haven’t played on a big stage like this. But this team plays with amazing passion, fight, and determination, and I couldn’t be any more proud of all of them.”

Nicholas Cipolone, Ethan Massardier, Joe Powers, Ryan Hoffman, Ethan Fleck, Aiden Yurasek, and Nick Smith also played for the Cyclones.

“They really are a great group. They know how I feel about them, and how I feel about this whole season, and I’m really proud of them,” Coach Fiore said. “We knew we had a shot at being good. We hoped we were competitive. There were a couple games that we considered a rivalry that we knew we wanted to win, but to win them all in the regular season, that was so big in itself. Of course you want to go far in states. I feel our greatest accomplishment was the Lehigh Valley championship. And here, we did the best we could.”