Lehigh Little League’s minors (10U) all-star team made a return trip to Pennridge on July 8, hoping to avenge an earlier loss in the District 20 tournament but fell, 1-0, in the district final.

“I’m proud of the boys for coming out tonight, especially after getting their butts kicked, 13-2, versus these guys last time,” said Lehigh coach Cory Kempinski. “They were ready to go tonight, and unfortunately, things didn’t break our way, and that’s baseball sometimes.”

Lehigh scored a run in the bottom of the first inning that was withdrawn when it was determined that a runner left base early. After a game stoppage that lasted several minutes, it was also determined that the Lehigh runner would not be out but would return to his base.

“We don’t like to see things go that way like that,” Kempinski said. “In my humble opinion, it was not the correct call, but we’re going to accept it for what it is. It wasn’t the responsibility of the umpires. At the end of the day, we didn’t score enough runs.”

Pennridge’s only run came in the top of the first inning on Jordan Ritter’s RBI double to center field.

In the bottom of the first, Carter Kempinski’s hit down the first base line bounced off the edge of the bag and landed behind Tucker Chapman. Dallas Cruz was safe on a fielder’s choice, and Anderson Ryzewski’s RBI single ripped through the infield.

But Lehigh’s run was called back, and a pitcher’s duel between Cruz and Jackson Funk ensued with no more runs to be had by either team.

“Dallas is our leader on this team, he’s a captain, and he’s my best player,” said Kempinski. “I think he’s the best player in the district to be honest with you. He’s a great leader, great teammate, and I can’t say enough about the kid.”

Cruz delivered six strikeouts and threw out three Pennridge batters from his knees.

Kempinski made a nice catch at deep second base in the third inning, and Lambros Dontas made a backhanded catch in left field for Pennridge’s third out in the top of the fifth.

From third base, Lehigh’s Brady Collins threw out Mags Rivera at first and caught a pop-up from Jonah Los.

“Brady’s a kid who never played third base before a whole lot,” said Kempinski. “We put him in a big spot there for a nine-year-old, and he held it together.”

Cruz had a line drive to right field and stole second base in the fourth inning, but Lehigh was unable to capitalize.

“This is 30 straight days we’ve been together now.,” Kempinski said. “Thirty straight days and not one single day off. They were playing baseball every day for two-plus hours a night, so they all became better baseball players, and I know it hurts right now, and come the fall, they’re gonna be ready to go.”