The Lebanon Valley 16U VFW Teener all-star team won the VFW State Teener Championship title July 31 in an overwhelming victory.

The championships, held at Coleman’s Park, saw the 13- to 16-year-old players winning their first and second games against the Clearfield team, securing a best-of-three win.

In game one, Lebanon Valley won 12-1 in seven innings. Lebanon Valley had a total of 12 hits.

Jordy Palanco pitched all seven innings, giving up one run on three hits. Other players of note were shortstop Griffin Gonzalez (3-4) with two doubles, two runs and two RBIs; first baseman Colby Robb (2-4) with two runs and three RBIs; left fielder Ethan Heisey (2-5) with double and run scored; and right fielder Cameron Connelly (2-4) with three runs and one RBI.

The team won game two 11-1 in five innings, enacting the mercy rule due to their significant lead. Lebanon Valley had a total of 15 hits.

Julian Biondollo pitched all five innings and gave up one run on four hits. Strong players included Gonzalez (1-2) with a double, two runs, three RBIs, and reaching base on all four at bats; Biondollo (4-4) with one run and three RBIs; catcher Ricardo Cruz (2-2) with three runs and reaching base on all three at bats; and Sam Slabach (1-3) with two RBIs and reaching base all four at bats and scoring three times.

In playoffs, the Lebanon Valley team played Mount Union on July 24. They won the first game 3-1, lost the second 5-2, and won the third 8-6, qualifying them for the championship.

The location of the VFW State Teener Championship rotates every year. State Rep. Frank Ryan (R-101) also attended the South Hills games, posting photos to his Facebook page and later congratulating the team on its victory.

Emily Bixler was born and raised in Lebanon and now reports on local government. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano and going for hikes.